Maria Miller

Yes, many from all the parties were guilty of milking the system but there were also notable exceptions from all parties.

However, I think what makes this government particularly hypocritical is that it constantly talks about the misuse of taxpayers' money and presents itself as the saviour of "hardworking families". It has cut spending by squeezing public services and pushing forward privatisation - and by targetting the poor.

Maria Miller held a ministerial position but, by all accounts, she used every trick in the book to obstruct the investigation, and her assistant's comments to the press could be construed as an attempt to shut down press interest:

“I should just flag up as well, while you’re on it that when she doorstepped him, she got Maria’s father, who’s just had a [removed] and come out of [removed]. And Maria has obviously been having quite a lot of editors’ meetings around Leveson at the moment. So I am just going to flag up that connection for you to think about.”

Anna

It has been reported that she is giving the £17.000 she will get for resigning to a local charity in her constituency.

Eloathan.

I don't understand your last paragraph.

I don't think it makes any sense, Pogs! Presumably MP's assjstants take a course in gobbledygook! .

And if I hear Cameron say 'hardworking families' again I'm going to thcream and thcream 'till I'm thick.

Speaking gobbledygook myself - I mean assistants

Oh I see. The last paragraph is supposedly what Maria Miller's father said.

What had he had removed.

No, I think it's what Maria Miller's assistant said, POGS...

Her assistant reminded the reporter that Maria Miller was involved in how the press was going to be regulated. This was construed by some to be a veiled threat - that is, if you start poking around asking questions, remember that Maria Miller has it in her power to make life difficult for you and your colleagues.

Maria Miller said her assistant mentioned Leveson in relation to inappropriate intrusion into private life (doorstepping her father when it appears he had just come out of hospital), and not as a threat. But the actual words the assistant used could give rise to other, less worthy, interpretations: And Maria has obviously been having quite a lot of editors’ meetings around Leveson at the moment. So I am just going to flag up that connection for you to think about.” (the conversation had been recorded)

Had a lot of choice about where to put this link. This appears to be the most appropriate thread, I think.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/15/nigel-farage-under-fire-over-office-expenses

They're all in it together, durhamjen.

Pigs, snouts and troughs. Hardworking politicians busy making hay while the sun shines.

Quite a few cliches there now I read my last post!!

Are hardworking politicians the same as the hardworking families that drink beer and play bingo? Making hay while the sun shines reminds me that many of them are farmers and get lots of benefits from the CAP.
Should the CAP payments be capped?

Well don't forget to use the ballot box when it comes to be. We do seem to have a bunch of wretched politicians, There seem only a handful who have the integrity that should go with leadership. Maria Miller displays all the traits that makes them a despicable, gutless bunch.

I am thinking about the ballot box and wondering about taking DGD2's crayons and scribbling all over my paper.

Perhaps if everyone did that ....