NEARLY 100 MPs - including ten from the region - were accused of shaming democracy yesterday after forcing through a Bill to exempt Parliament from the Freedom of Information Act (FoI).

The legislation, which means MPs will not have to reveal the contents of their files, cleared the Commons after only 27 MPs turned up to try to vote it down.

Dari Taylor (Stockton South), Kevan Jones (Durham North), Sir Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough) and Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East), Nick Brown (Newcastle East and Wallsend), Alan Campbell (Tynemouth), Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley), David Clelland (Tyne Bridge), Doug Henderson (Newcastle North) and Denis Murphy (Wansbeck) were among its 98 supporters.

Critics of the legislation, who accused its supporters of hypocrisy, still hope it will be blocked in the House of Lords.

Some suspect the motive behind the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill is to prevent details of MPs' allowances and expenses claims being released.

Last night, Ms Taylor hit back, saying the Bill was needed because gaps in the law were allowing the victims of domestic violence and forced marriage to be identified.

The Labour MP said: "I handle very sensitive cases and I'm not prepared to see that information in the public domain.

"It's quite straightforward - the Data Protection Act is not strong enough to provide protection. But anyone can look at my expenses at any time."

One of the Bill's fiercest critics, Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes, appealed to members of the House of Lords to put right "this terrible mistake".

Mr Hughes said: "This has been a shameful day for the House of Commons. MPs should set an example of open government - not apply it to everybody but ourselves."

Opponents of the Bill, sponsored by a Tory backbencher, say constituents' correspondence is already protected by two exemptions in the FoI Act.

One bans the disclosure of personal information in breach of the Data Protection Act and the other prevents disclosures in breach of confidence.

However, several MPs spoke passionately during five hours of debate about how the police, local authorities and other third parties had released sensitive details after FoI requests.

Bridget Prentice, the constitutional affairs minister, said she knew of "a tragic case" in which a wife-beater had discovered details that left her fearing for his partner's safety.

Attempts to "talk out" the Bill - including complaining a bucket in the voting lobbies was a trip hazard - failed.