I AM disappointed that your 'No Shame' headline did not seem to reflect the incredibly extensive reports you have published about Shahid Malik's expenses (Reporter May 22).
It seems clear that Mr Malik did not break the rules - you did not accuse him of that - and although he is being investigated regarding the £100 per month rent he paid for his home, even you do not appear to regard this as too inappropriate for Dew
sbury Moor.
The Dewsbury Labour Party fully stands by our MP who, it is generally agreed, works exceptionally hard for his constituents.
We are, however, very concerned about an expenses system that has it has been possible to grossly misuse by a number of Members of Parliament.
This issue is not about Mr Malik, it is about abuse of their privileges by a number of other MPs. Labour in Dewsbury fully understands the anger of the public on this and, in fact, we are angry too.
The system should not have allowed some members - from all parties - to take advantage to the extent they clearly did. Similarly, changing the designation of their properties to dodge capital gains tax is not the sort of behaviour we demand from our MPs. Where their claims are shown to be excessive, and where they have cheated the tax man, they should be made to repay the full amount.
It must be replaced with a fair scheme that repays reasonable expenses for the additional costs of living part of each week in London, where they don't already live within striking distance. Additionally, there must be rigorous audits of the system and the results fully open to public scrutiny.
Finally, where MPs have broken the law they must be prosecuted and, if found guilty, removed from Parliament coupled with loss of their pension rights where appropriate. That is what happens in the real world, and it is the real world that these MPs have got to be re-connected to.
MIKE GREETHAM
Secretary Dewsbury Labour Party
