by Nathan Rao

The Island’s prospective Tory parliamentary candidate has condemned politicians for having their “snouts in the trough of public money” as the row over MPs’ expenses rumbles on.
Gordon Henderson said that if elected as MP he would not take a second home but commute to Westminster and make public all details of his spending.
He welcomed the announcement by Tory leader David Cameron that members of the shadow cabinet would pay back expense claims that have caused concern.
He said: “Public anger over the current MP expenses scandal was inevitable. I warned in a speech last year that people were fed up with politicians who have their snouts in the trough of public money.
Receipts
“David has asked all his Parliamentary candidates to sign up to the code and I am more than happy to do just that, because I want to help him to restore the good reputation of parliament.”
At a speech made at a Conservative meeting Mr Henderson said having been in business most of his life he is used to providing receipts and would be open about everything he claimed for.
He said: “Getting a flat in town might well be a sensible thing for those MPs who live some distance from London, but I am only an hour’s train journey away.
“A large number of my future constituents, including my daughter, commute to London every day, they cannot afford to own two houses and if the hard work of commuting is good enough for them, then it is good enough for me.
“I have absolutely no problem providing receipts for expenditure. In business if you don’t provide a receipt, you don’t get your money reimbursed. It’s as simple as that and so it should be.”

Claims are within the rules

MP Derek Wyatt has come under fire after it emerged he claimed back the cost of shopping which included two scotch eggs and five mini pork pies.
He says he has done nothing wrong as the rules take into account MPs’ unique working and living circumstances.
Mr Wyatt submitted a Tesco receipt from May 2008 showing that he spent 75p on two scotch eggs and £1.79 on five mini pork pies.
In a statement released on Monday, he said: “The additional costs’ allowance provides for expenses incurred by an MP in performing his or her Parliamentary duties.
“If I wasn’t an MP, I would not have to be in London Monday to Thursday and would not have to buy food for two homes.”
But Mr Wyatt, who was been MP since 1997, would not be drawn on the principle of taxpayers’ paying for his food .
Despite numerous attempts, he would not respond to the question of how he thinks his constituents view the matter.
He would also not comment on the downfall of House of Commons’ speaker Michael Martin who was forced to resign on Tuesday.