MPs came under pressure today to reveal the identities of landlords receiving rent from the Westminster expenses system.
There was anger after more than 50 MPs were allowed to keep the name of their landlord secret by citing security grounds.
Although some politicians, such as MPs representing Northern Ireland, are under a clear security threat, there was surprise that so many were deemed to be in danger.
“It will certainly raise eyebrows and people living in constituencies where MPs have had these details redacted will wonder what they have to hide,” said Matthew Sinclair, of the TaxPayers Alliance. He added: “It goes against the spirit of transparency and openness that should be paramount.”
A list of landlords who are paid via MPs’ expenses was published last night after a Freedom of Information request. It revealed that four rent homes from fellow MPs, and others rent from peers.
A spokesman for Ipsa, the independent regulator of expenses, would not say how many MPs asked to have the details withheld but were refused permission. He said: “We need to consider in each case whether there are any security issues. We take that as seriously as we can.”
Among the disclosures, Labour MP Jessica Morden (Newport East) rents from Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) while Tory Keith Simpson rents from Lord Flight. Tory MP Peter Luff rents a London flat from Chelsea player Frank Lampard.
