This is disgusting & just adds to the doom and gloom news. There is no fighting these establishments, from councils to parliament to the EU. It makes us look extremely bad to the rest of the world, how can we condem other fraudulent countries. What would be the outcome if NO ONE voted? SACK THEM ALL

Garry, London,

Will they just get away with it, yet again ? Parliament has become one big club full of career politicians with little difference between the parties in policy or arrogant belief in their right to power; or between each member's personal commitment to milking the system for all it's worth .

I Greene, London, England

right honourable....what a joke. this expenses fiasco is a national disgrace.

martin nossel, benfleet, england

I hope the people who shredded the papers squeal on those who told them to. Then again the fact the carried it out without complaint means they think themselves above the law.

I hope the next time some spiv is in the dock for shredding documents, this 'incident' sets a legal precedent and win

Dave Kinsley, Derby, UK

Demand that the records are recreated from alternative paper/money trails.

The Political Class must accept that they have been found wanting and start reversing course, sharpish, otherwise the English people will rise up and many traitorous Political Class heads will roll, Oliver Cromwell style!

keythong, Bucks., England

We may huff and puff about our corrupt MPs - but they don't care - they know we can do nothing about them - they just sigh and snigger and say in a week the poor cretins that work & pay tax will forget about our dodgy expenses and be whining about the cost of food and fuel again - we have no answer.

Marty, London,

It is patently obvious there is a law for us and a separate law for them. That puts them at odds with the people of the United Kingdom. And it should alert us to the very serious danger that these rascals will further act against the interests of the people of the United Kingdom.

R McAuley, Antrim, United Kingdom

Typical! They call it "not breaking any of the rules". Well I suppose when "they" make the rules up "they must be right! Its just unfortunate that the rest of the Brittish public have to abide by the other rules that exist, if it happend in business it would be fraud, or at least dishonest.

Jones, Cardiff,

I say when Prince William takes the throne, he should ride into Parliament sword drawn and declare the lot of them abolished.

James Wirrell, Oxford,

Given the retention policy has been agreed witht he Inland revenue we should have expenses claims for the last 6 years. I'm sure that's enough to be going on with - now, please can we see the last 6 years of claims. No ifs, no buts, just get on with it.

Dr Ian Burgess, Bristol,

Then they should be prosecuted. We are sick of corrupt politicians, they'll fit right in with the the EU.

Samantha Jones, Bucks, England

A general election should be called now, and only m.p,s who can genuinely prove that their expexse claims were genuine should be allowed to stand, all others should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Doing nothing about this latest scandal, means that democrary no longer exist in Britain.

David, Helsinki , Finland

What do we expect from the Liab/Lib/Con? To Ray, yes you do have a choice, Vote BNP or UKIP or English democrats, they all tend to be ordinary members of the public who are sick of what is happening to our country.
On the other hand after the Lords ratifies the lisbon treaty you might not be able.

John , Wolverhampton,

I suppose ''it was accidental'' like Tony Blairs' excuse

Tony, Barnsley, uk

Build more prisons - and be quick about it.

M Wilson, Bidache, france

The stink coming from Parliament is liable to damage the health of the general public, Health and safety should close it down.What happened to the corner stone of democracy, our goverment rates along side that of Mugabe, truth,honesty and loyalty.no longer exist.

David, Helsinki , Finland

By wasting tax payer money, these MPs have put this country and its forces at risk.
Send them all to jail. Use the 42 day detention to find out their expenses. If this isn't enough, then use rendition flight, to that they could be adequately interviewed.
Make sure that no lawyers are permitted.

Lauren, London, UK

I am a Civil Servant. Training on the FoI Act makes it clear that if I destroy documents which have been requested under FoI I was personally responsible and could be prosecuted. I look forward to hearing about the prosecution of the individuals who have deliberately destroyed this evidence.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

There must be prosecutions for the unlawful shredding - not to prosecute would be a clear signal that government considers itself above the law, and, as such, has no legitimacy to rule. Outside intervention is indicated.

martin brighton, sheffield,

So what's the difference between our so-called "Honourable Members" and the Al Capone crime syndicate - apart from the obvious fact that had Capone employed a few paper shredders then he would have probably gotten away with his racketeering activities?

C. Wakley, Northants,

Inland Revenue rules require that MPs and others who fill in tax returns keep all documents for 6 years. These MPs can all be fined up to £1000 per document that they have destroyed.

Whether or not its a crime, and it sounds like it is, shredding documents makes them look like criminals.

Julian Peterson, London / Singapore, UK / Singapore

Where is the National Audit Office and the City of London police? It isn't surprising Joe Public doesn't respect the establishment. Personal integrity and responsibility are bygone words. Doesn't anybody in influence or power care anymore, or are they all simply on the make?

John Bull, England,

I guess this is what they mean to by Parliamentary Priviledge and Parliamentary Immunity. Seriously - if the Police weren't so politically contaminated themselves these days, and were minded to pursue charges against MPs - isn't that what the MPs all would claim? Of course they would!

Cllr Chris Cooke, Tamworth, UK

If only AL Capone had a shreddar then he would not have gone to prison...Iet us hope that the Police are brought in and those responsible face criminal charges.....

mark j, essex, England

Regardless of what has happened we should all go and vote at the next election, and we should vote for anyone expect the BNP who will destroy the shreds of decency and honesty that remain in our political system.

Peter, Petworth, UK

who will be prosecuted or will the 'establishment' enable yet another cover up.

Mike, Gravesend, England

Time to rid ourselves of rule by Parliament.
From 1 King to the current 646 Kings to 60 odd million.
Time to take our biggest step!.
Governed not by the representatives of the People, but by the people themselves.
Haven't YOU had enough of the Dictatorship of Parliament and it's corrupt members!!.

David Diggins, Derby., England.

Come the next election, perhaps voters should vote BNP or shred their ballot papers just to get this miserable corrupt shower out.

J.MacKie, sheffield, england

And the dunb Brits keep voting them in. So its good enough for them !!

George Baily, London UK,

If I were to do exactly the same (shred) all expenses claimed on my annual Income Tax Returns sent to H.M.Revenue & Customs would I too 'get away with it' ? I don't think so !!!!!

Nick, Woodford Green, England

what has this country come too... all those dead soldiers lay in graves for what? horrible snotty nosed kids who lied themselves to power with no respect for anthing but themselves! Any MP with records missing should be prosecuted problem is thats the majority of them !

lee harrison, leeds, uk

No doubt there are MPs whose expenses were legitimate and reasonable. Since all of the records were shredded, the reputation of all MPs is cast even further downwards - if that's possible?

Bill Bird, Wallasey, UK

The usual revelations and the usual English reaction, i.e. nothing.......

These people know they can ride out the storm because we as a nation will let them get away with once again.


Steve Ellis Yorkshire

Steve Ellis, Hull, Yorkshire

New Labour banana republic.

Ian, Bristol,

The fraudsters of Westminster may have shot themselves in the foot with this one.

We now have incontrovertible proof that politicians will happily destroy evidence that does not fit their agenda.

Next time a politician says "There is no evidence ..." . We know what happened to it.

jasper, chelmsford,

One is sort of expecting corruption on a major scale from the EU starting at Commission level, but when such a level of perverting the course of justice (illegal I believe) occurs in parliament. Who authorised this destruction. The Speaker is in charge is he not?

M. Cawdery, ramone, Co. UK, EU.

As 'Elmer, Deal' has commented, the data will be held electronically - so seize the computers and hand them over to data recovery experts. Then charge the Speaker and his employees. And to think that the MPs are wanting to vote themselves a pay-rise and an increase in expense allowance.

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

Where are our role models amongst these patheric sleazy greedy self seeking immoral leaches. Blair isa tacky little criminal who has done so well out of us.

rachel, ashford, uk

Try using that excuse to the tax man when they want to see your details for the last six year!

Arthur, Newcastle,

Another example of the CORRUPTION that is rife in the people's parliament. Who requested the shredding, who authorised it and when do the Fraud squad get involved?

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

If "Westminster" has shredded this information, then those responsible should be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice.

Robert, Hull, East Yorkshire

Who are these so-called "Commons Authorities"? Who authorised the shredding of these documents? What is being done to name and publicly discipline this person(s)? Clearly there must have been a lot to hide for someone to blatantly break the law in this way. Is this a matter for the Police I wonder?

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Where are you Oliver Cromwell, now that we need you so much?

Bill Q, Derby,

One must assume that there are rules. Have they been broken? If so then the auditors should have it in their report..
Hopefully this is not another Labour bashing exercise. You only include Labour examples in your piece. Fair and balanced, ne c'est pas?.

Jo Geoghegan, Brisbane, Australia

When HMRC carry out reviews anything that cannot be substantiated is disallowed. They delve back seven years.
If the MP'S cannot substantiate their claims then they should be disallowed and the money returned to the coffers.
Although the hard copy has been shredded much of it will be on computers

barbara, north east,

Cromwell is turning in his grave as is King Charles I if the truth be known. Compared to this lot, they both had great integrity !!!!

I am not that surprised at the above news though !!!!

ian payne, walsall,

The rot and cancer of corruption appears to have contaminated the very foundations of British Democracy. Not only the MP's but clerical support staff. Drastic overhaul of the establishment is critical with stringent penalties in to control sticky fingers. Party leaders not God Fathers, Please.

Alexander, Victoria,

If MPs are unable to substantiate their claims prior to 2004, the claims should be deemed to have been made under a false premise. In these circumstances the amounts received should be required to be repaid.

Now that would probably focus their minds.

Tony Atkins, Cairns, Austalia

When the next election comes, EU or National everyone should go and vote. They should spoil their ballot papers to show that the electorate are sick of the current parties.

What else can one do when it is a choice of voting for one of three corrupt parties.

Ray Harvey, Hitchin, uk

Westmidden officialdom rallies round to protect and serve the erm establishment. How convenient.
My country right or wrong? It appears so. Something is terribly wrong when there's such a scarcity of accountability in that mother of Parliaments. Expect departures from public office?
Erm no.

Tom McAlister, sent to Coventry,

If my MPs expenses documents have been shredded he had better look for another job. Sleaze is the best motivator for voters and no expenses receipts means guilty as charged in my book. I foresee a Parliament full of new faces after the next general election in all political parties.

Cromwell, Leeds, England

nixon would be proud. the mother of all democracies is a disgrace. the humming sound boris heard was actually coming from westinster!

col, seattle, usa

One would assume that in this technological age, the quill-wealding tail-coated clerks are a thing of the past. That submissions of expense claims by MPs would not have been entered in 'the system' is most unlikely. Search the computer record and, ipso facto, there is your evidence.

Elmer, Deal, UK

No wonder you have "RIP-OFF" Britain. One normally follows the leader. What a bad example MPs of all parties are? Change of Government? Will not make a bit of change. Will still be a regime of fraud. Britain is run like a third world country following the rogues in the EU parliament.

Victor Cedar, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

And I bet that the most incrimenating expense claims were from senior LABOUR MP's, otherwise their claims wouldn't have been shreded.

George, London,

Is anyone actually surprised by any of this? There is corruption in virtually every country in the world...why should this one be any different!

Dave, Harlow, UK

Of course it complies with the law -- they make the bloody law, so they're going to ensure it's in their favour, aren't they!!

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks

Any MP who cannot present documents relating to claims for expenses over the past 6 years should immediately have any further claims stopped and should be made to resign or face criminal charges.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

There must be alot of MP's who were worried, because to break the rules so blatantly by shredding masses of expenses documents shows just how frightened the House of Commons as become, it is that or they really do not care what the puiblic think or says

Mark, Yorkshire,

In the past Speakers have been imprisioned in the Tower.
If this report is true, perhaps the entire Members Estimates Committee ?

Peter Hooper, Windsor., UK