MPs should have to return any profits they make on their second homes to the taxpayer, Britain's Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said today.
As the spotlight on MPs’ expenses turned on his party, Mr Clegg said he had always intended to give back any profits that he makes when he eventually comes to sell up.
He said he could now be requiring members of his frontbench team to do the same until there were new rules in place.
"The greatest abuse in the system has been the ability for MPs to play the system for personal profit, avoiding capital gains tax, buying and selling properties as if they were property speculators rather than MPs," he told the BBC Radio 4 Todayprogramme.
“It is hundreds of thousands of pounds that we are talking about and that, I think, is wholly unacceptable and that must end. . . . In my view the only long-term solution is get MPs out of the property game altogether.”
Mr Clegg also renewed his criticisms of Commons Speaker Michael Martin who on Monday publicly turned on MPs who criticised the way the House authorities had handled the whole issue of MPs expenses.
“I want to see the Speaker - and I am sure that he realises this now - as the embodiment of the whole Parliament, expressing a sense of real contrition on behalf of the whole Parliament but also being very much on the front foot, promoting the most radical reform possible of the system of pay and expenses, not seeking to turn on precisely those people who have been advocating those reforms,” Mr Clegg.
“It wasn’t a good day for him the day before yesterday. I think it didn’t reflect the needs of Parliament to restore trust in the system. I am sure that he realises that now.”
The Daily Telegraph- which has obtained the details of all MPs' expenses, reported that former party leader Sir Menzies Campbell spent nearly £10,000 of taxpayers' money refurbishing his flat in central London, and home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne claiming for a £119 trouser press which was delivered to his main home rather than his second designated address.
Sir Menzies told the Telegraphthe expense was justified because he had not used his full second home allowance in previous years.
The claim under the Additional Costs Allowance included a new king-size bed worth £1,024, Roman blinds worth £528.75, five cushions costing £176.25 and a £1,515 decorating bill.