Break-in MP backs Speaker over expenses revelations

Mr Bercow was criticised after warning the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) that revealing the identities of politicians’ landlords would be a “security risk”.

Ipsa had been due to disclose the material yesterday in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

However, the process has now been put on hold in the wake of Mr Bercow’s intervention.

Concerns have been raised that a “loophole” in the rules allows MPs to profit by renting properties to colleagues, who then claim the costs on expenses.

It is understood that four MPs are currently renting from other MPs - although there are no cases of home “swaps”.

In his letter to Ipsa, Mr Bercow insisted there was a “very real danger” that MPs’ residential addresses could be discovered as a result of the planned publication.

He wrote: “I would have thought it plain that the balancing exercise between FOI and data protection rights comes down in favour of not disclosing ...”

A spokesman for Mr Bercow said: “The Speaker’s letter to Sir Ian Kennedy, chair of Ipsa, relates solely to the security implications of publishing MP rental details based on professional advice and resolutions of the House.”

Tory Dr Sarah Wollaston said she had grave concerns about revealing MPs’ addresses, having had her London flat and constituency home broken into.

The Totnes MP said she agreed with the need for transparency, but was worried about a tiny minority, including activists, using the information maliciously, adding: “There is a real issue about MPs and their expenses, but there is another side to this story in that I think there are real security issues for MPs. I am very happy for everyone to know that I have no connection with my landlord in my London address – I have never met them and I don’t think they even live in this country. But if they (Ipsa) publish politicians’ home addresses then you are exposing them (MPs) to very difficult situations.”

However, Labour MP John Mann saidthe attempt to prevent the publication of the details appeared to be a “return to the bad old days”.

The Bassetlaw MP added: “If MPs are renting from past or current MPs it is right and proper the public is able to know that.

“There is nothing wrong with that, and there is nothing wrong in it being out there in the open. I have no problem in MPs renting it (a flat) out but the public is entitled to know that.”

An Ipsa spokesman said: “We are committed to transparency as is shown by our regular publication of all claims by all MPs.

“We have a duty to balance that against the risk of compromising security. We are currently going through the process of gathering all the relevant information to get that judgment right.”