British Politicians Run for Cover as Scandal Rages
Britain’s prime minister called for drastic steps to restore trust in the country’s scandal-tainted political class, as lawmakers across the political spectrum sought to take cover from public anger over their lavish expense claims.Political leaders have been writing checks, making apologies, calling for inquiries and even threatening action against their own lieutenants in an effort to survive the publication of their expense claims in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper over the past few days.
The paper has stoked outrage in recession-hit Britain by revealing how lawmakers have asked to be reimbursed for everything from porn movies to chandeliers to housekeepers. One legislator even charged the public for sacks of horse manure, while an ex-minister submitted a claim for cleaning the moat that circles his country home.
Brown said “extreme action” was needed to reform the expense system “because politicians must show themselves worthy of public trust.”
