Vince Cable

MPs' allowances are published today amid criticism of some excesses. Vincent Cable MP said that he "favoured openness and transparency.

Some MPs have done Parliament and democracy, as a whole, no favours by trying to hide between Freedom of Information exceptions and by abusing the system. We have to accept that the public have a legitimate interest in how their money is spent.

"I, and the other six Lib Dems in outer London, do not use the second home allowance which is one of the main sources of abuse.

"It is also important that the public appreciates that the vast majority of what are called MPs' "expenses" are payments for staff salaries and running offices and do not involve payments to MPs themselves.

"Nonetheless, it is important that the system be reformed by removing the second home allowance in outer London; setting pay and allowances independently of Parliament, so we are not voting on our own pay; having independent auditing of claims; and stopping the employment of staff who are relations."