MPs quit to avoid paying back claims

Many MPs accused of milking their expenses are planning to quit Parliament at the next election to avoid being forced to pay the money back.

The dash for the exit door follows the Standard's disclosure this week that Commons authorities do not intend to force former MPs to refund expenses that were approved by officials in past years.

It could become a major exodus as auditor Sir Thomas Legg is likely to declare as invalid some mortgage interest claims made by MPs running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Some MPs are expected to refer themselves to an investigation by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, John Lyon, to avoid answering questions until after the election. Commons officials say there are few legal powers to recover money from former MPs, except where criminal fraud is uncovered.

Those who stay could be shamed into paying or have the money taken from their salary. There are 108 MPs who have said they will go at the election, including Sir Peter Viggers, the Tory grandee who used his expenses to buy a duck house.