WHEN the MPs' expenses scandal unfolded, it was more than just the financial skullduggery which angered people all over the country. It was the holier than thou attitude of some MPs which heightened public outrage.
Too many politicians underestimated the seriousness of the revelations and the impact they would have on public confidence. Inside the Westminster bubble, they had convinced themselves that this was money they were due and how dare anyone suggest otherwise.
The latest MP to caught up in an expenses inquiry is Culture Secretary Maria Miller who has been ordered to repay £5,800 for failing to reduce her mortgage expenses when interest rates fell.
Despite Mrs Miller being ordered to hand back the money, the Commons Committee on Standards actually cleared her of making false expenses claims.
So imagine if a benefits claimant had defrauded the taxpayer of such a sum. Would they have got away with a 30-second apology, or would they have ended up in court?
Mrs Miller will not end up in court. In fact, she is not even going to be sacked, despite the Commons Committee criticising her attitude to the inquiry. Yes, there we go again - attitude.
She was ruled to have breached the MPs' code of conduct by submitting "incomplete" evidence to the inquiry. Indeed, the investigation had been mired in "delay and difficulty" arising from "incomplete documentation and fragmentary information".
Mrs Miller bears "significant responsibility" for those delays and difficulties. In short, her attitude was to do as little as possible to enable the truth to come out.
She remains in her powerful position in the Government. It hardly inspires confidence, does it?
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