Andrew Slaughter broke expenses rules

Andrew Slaughter, the Labour MP for Hammersmith, who fought the General Election claiming to be an expenses "saint" has been ordered to repay £15.95 to the Commons. He was caught using prepaid envelopes and writing paper for political campaigning. It would have been much better if he had come clean and apologised but instead he strung the matter out until after the General Election. His defence that it was "only" £15.95 misses the point. MPs should be expected to follow the rules.

In the past Slaughter has claimed for a £90 fountain pen nib. Not to mention the most extraordinary quantity of loo paper.