SNP calls for MPs to "publish and pay up"

STV

The SNP has called on the other Westminster parties to "publish and pay up".

It follows the recommendations of Sir Thomas Legg following a probe into MPs expenses claims.

The SNP has published details of all of the recommendations relating to its House of Commons members.

The party revealed First Minister Alex Salmond was asked to repay £710 for removal costs between London and Aberdeenshire when he gave up his rented flat in 2007.

He has also been asked to provide further information to judge the legitimacy of £2610 of claims for hotels.

Stewart Hosie will repay £379 which he claimed for hotels while his flat was flooded, after the auditor ruled the cash should have been claimed on insurance instead.

Angus MacNeil is handing back £133 for council tax, but is asking Sir Legg to clarify the rules on a number of disputed hotel bills.

And Pete Wishart will repay £1,632 after he claimed twice for flat rental and utility bills.

Now, the party is calling on its political opponents to publish the findings relating to their own MPs.

Glasgow East MP John Mason said: "If trust is ever to be restored in Westminster, all parties in the House of Commons must publish and pay up as recommended by Sir Thomas Legg.

"The SNP always said that we would abide by the final recommendations of the independent audit - and that is exactly what we will do.  Where further information is requested it is being provided, and where money should be refunded it is being reimbursed – regardless of whether or not it was approved by the Fees Office at the time.  Times have changed – and the Labour, Tory and Lib Dem parties have got to recognise that and follow the SNP’s lead."

Sir Thomas was called in to conduct an independent audit of expenses claims.

He has now written to around 600 MPs identifying his findings. However, while he can identify questionable claims, he cannot force MPs to repay the money.

On Tuesday, David Cameron revealed he would ban MPs who didn't follow the recommendations from standing for the Conservatives again.

Sir Thomas hasn't recommended he pay anything back yet, but has asked for more information about an apparent mortgage repayment of £218.91.

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has been told to return £12,415. He claimed more than £10,000 for cleaning and £302.50 for gardening, while a £1,396 claim for painting and decorating work was paid twice.