MP Richard Spring has described the publication of blacked-out 
expenses as a “mockery”.
He was shocked to find that his expenses were censored this way, even though he made no requests to have any items removed from publication.
The Suffolk MP has told his local paper, the East Anglian Daily Times, that it came as “a massive surprise” to see details of his expenses list smothered in black ink.
He said; “I felt it was not in the spirit of transparency to have any items covered up…. Frankly it never occurred to me that this would be the case. I am sure there are many other MPs just as amazed as me.
“It is an incredible own-goal and makes a mockery of the whole process of our relationship with the public, who must be absolutely aghast.”
He accused the House of Commons authorities of “humiliating” him by publishing the heavily-edited accounts, which would have shown he claimed £4,000 a year in food.
To view an uncensored version of Richard’s expenses, his website guides you to where they are published online.
Now that’s what I call transparency…
It is indeed farcical to have this ‘blacking out’, or ‘redaction’ as someone calls it.
What sort of food?
That’s all very well but WHY is he claiming £4000 a year in food? He has to eat wherever he is. Answer: because he can.
And he did.
They are just trying to save their own. Too late, mate.
This is written as though the ” Honourable ” member Mr Spring has done nothing wrong in claiming £80 a week for his grub , amazing .
Most good folk have to buy their own out of the money they have left when they have covered all their other expences , not so that lot at Westminster they take out from us !
Im afraid you Tories still dont appear to get it .
By the way which way did he vote on FOI act ?
I don’t understand why he was able to claim for food either. As I understand the tax rules, you can claim for food if you are self-employed but only if you are out of your home town on business. People who are employed by others cannot claim. So it seems utterly illogical to me that an MP, who is, presumably, “employed” can claim any expenses for food!
Hazel Blears take note.
I see that Mr Spring also claimed for the removal of a wasps nest over his front door , you couldnt make it up .
Welshcakes, I wonder if you are thinking about tax rules?
I think what you can claim on food and incidentals depends on your employer.
Lots have incidentals ‘away from the office’ allowances and overnight allowances.