Expenses Fiddling Gang appear in court

Expenses Fiddling Gang appear in court

Reservoir Dregs

Courts should not try us, say Expenses four

"Elliot Morley, David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Lord Hanningfield said the allegations against them should be considered by parliamentary authorities instead of a jury. They said they were protected from criminal prosecution by the right of parliamentary privilege, dating back to the Bill of Rights of 1689".

There is the principle of parliamentary privilege attached to proceedings in Parliament. However, it does not extend to having the privilege to fiddle expenses. If this was the case, it would legitimise their conduct.

The 4 common criminals are not only seeking a change of venue, but also a change of process. Whilst you or I should be dealt with by the ordinary law of the land, they want special treatment. To be tried by MPs and Peers. They are arguing that treating them as though they are just common criminals is breaching the doctrine of the Separation of Powers. It would be nice if we had such a thing under our constitution.

The 3 MPs and 1 Lord have decided to sacrifice a reduction in sentence by entering early guilty pleas, for a time wasting exercise challenging the jurisdiction of the court. They should now have the book thrown at them. I am aware that these 4 are just the tip of the iceberg. What should be happening is coach loads going through this process and using a conveyor belt to save time.

Reservoir Dogs