BROWN'S SECRET EXPENSES CALL DISGRACEFUL - WILLIAMS

1.28.42pm GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Commenting on reports that Gordon Brown is to order Labour MPs to vote to exempt MP's expenses from the Freedom of Information Act, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams MP said:

"This is a truly astonishing abuse of power, and I can only hope Labour MPs will treat the Prime Minister's order with the contempt it deserves.

"At least we now know where Gordon Brown stands - he wants his MPs to be able to hide behind a wall of secrecy.

"Previous revelations about abuses of expenses have severely damaged public trust in politicians. The only way to rectify this is to be open and transparent about what money is spent on, not to stick two fingers up at the people who pay.

"It is outrageous that while Assembly Members have to account for everything they spend, the Government are trying to write special rules that will put MPs' interests ahead of the public good."