Iraq Inquiry – Inquiry Composition

Posted on Jul 30, 2009 in Uncategorized The Sunlight Centre for Open Politics welcomes the news that where possible the Iraq inquiry will be held in public. The panel of the inquiry will consist of Sir John Chilcot, Sir Roderick Lyne, Sir Martin Gilbert, Sir Lawrence Freedman and Baroness Prashar. The composition of the panel with Sir John Chilcot as the chairman a former civil servant and Sir Roderick Lyne a former civil servant with...
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Quick Update: An MP’s “main home”?

Posted on Jul 29, 2009 in blog Again via Agent Orange, who seems to be taking as minute an interest in expenses as we at Sunlight do, comments by Nick Harvey MP today appear to suggest that most MPs had a common sense understanding of what their "main home" and "second home" should be – and that this understanding differs significantly from Jacqui Smith’s understanding. Through the FT...
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Esther Rantzen: “Fresh Air”

Posted on Jul 28, 2009 in blog   Esther Rantzen, TV presenter and founder of ChildLine, has said she is going to stand in Luton South, the constituency of Margaret Moran. Moran is retiring in disgrace after expensing a £22,500 dry rot treatment to some house she owns miles from her constituency. Via Reuters: Rantzen said she believed voters felt just as strongly about the expenses scandal as when it first came to...
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Summer Drinks!

Posted on Jul 28, 2009 in blog Next THURSDAY, August 6th, we at the Sunlight Centre, and our pressure group, blogging, and press friends, will be toasting the phenomenal response to our fundraising efforts for the Jacqui Smith prosecution fund. We anticipate celebrating the £15,000 mark and we hope you’ll join us!   Sunlight Centre Donation Toast  Thursday, August 6th, 6pm Westminster Arms (9 Storeys...
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MPs keep £25 subsistence per day

Posted on Jul 28, 2009 in blog, Expenses Index, Kelly Report Sky News has reported today that MPs are to keep their £25 subsistence per day without producing a reciept.  The Sunlight Sunlight has looked at the new Parliamentary Green Book which states in section 2.1.3.2: ”A flat rate of £25 may be claimed for any night which a member spends away from his or her home on parliamentary business.  No other payment in repspect of...
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