FORMER LABOUR DEPUTY LEADER; LORD HATTERSLEY TODAY REPEATED HIS CALL FOR HAZEL BLEARS TO SACKED FORM GOVERNMENT

It’s been announced today that both Tory MP Julie Kirkbride and Labour’s Margaret Moran will both step down over the expenses scandal - eleven MPs have now resigned as a result of the affair.

Bromsgrove MP Ms Kirkbride followed her husband, in announcing her departure from parliament at the next general election. The couple came under fire when it emerged that Commons allowances had been used to simultaneously fund both the homes where they lived.

Luton South MP Ms Moran has been under fire after it was disclosed that she claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot at her partner’s home in Southampton, 100 miles from both her constituency and Westminster.

However, some experts believe that many more MPs will be forced to give up their seat, and not seek re-election. There is also a view that “expenses issue” could lead to at least the resignation or sacking of one Cabinet Minister.

And, that is a view backed by former Labour Deputy Leader; Lord Hattersley who today repeated his call for Hazel Blears to be sacked from the government, adding he wished the Prime Minister would say what he believed on a number of issues.

Avoiding taxes, like capital gains tax, as done by Ms Blears may be legal, but: “It revolts all sense of what the Labour party and Gordon Brown stands for.”

“It’s time for Gordon Brown to show what he really thinks. I just wish he would say what he believes on this and other issues,” he said.

Pressed to say he believed Hazel Blears should be sacked, he said: “I said that last night. I have no problem saying that, of course she should go. The Prime Minister is a good deal more tender-hearted than I am”.

CABINET MINISTERS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT OVER EXPENSES

The BBC have revealed that Daily Telegraph have focussed on the Cabinet once again, in the MPs expenses, but this time with real abuse of public money. Alistair Darling is among nine cabinet members who used £11,000 of taxpayers’ money to pay for personal accountancy advice.

The other Cabinet members are Jacqui Smith, Hazel Blears, David Miliband, James Purnell, Douglas Alexander, Geoff Hoon and Hilary Benn who all claimed for tax return processing.

For most people, this is not considered a legitimate business expense.

Labour sources said MP claims for such professional advice were within Commons rules. The ninth minister was unnamed.

Of the total £11,000 for all nine ministers, Mr Darling’s accountancy bills came to £1,400 over two years.

The chancellor said he had paid an accountant to prepare tax returns “to ensure… the correct amount of tax was paid in respect of my office costs”.

On Sunday, Mr Darling had told BBC One’s The Politics Show that all MPs had an obligation to shoulder responsibility for not reforming the expenses system when earlier opportunities arose.

“There is no doubt that the House of Commons rules got out of control and, frankly, everyone of us, me included, have to take responsibility for that, he said.

“Every time these things came up for review we just looked the other way.”

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable attacked Mr Darling for trying to dodge personal responsibility for his expenses claims.

Vince Cable said the chancellor should not “try and tar all MPs with the same brush”.

“I have never previously attacked Alistair Darling personally, whatever our political disagreements, but I was incensed when I heard his cynical attempt to displace responsibility for his own behaviour on other MPs,” he added.

“Many of us have spent years trying to change the system but we’ve been blocked many times, not least by the Labour government.

“Alistair Darling must be prepared to take some personal responsibility.”