Young
Unionists

It is quite astonishing given her well known sanctimoniousness, that the recent MP expenses revelations have shown that Iris Robinson has claimed £300 for a pen. When considering the substantial salary that she and her husband rake in from the taxpayer each year from double jobbing, such claims are even more hard to believe. Indeed, it was downright dishonest for such a submission to be made, as all claims are supposed to be made in relation to costs necessarily incurred by MPs in the course of doing their job.

It is terribly disappointing that some Northern Irish elected representatives seem content to treat voters with such contempt, and the many expenses scandals really do cast doubt on the motivations of some to be in politics. While the Common’s fees office rightly rejected Mrs Robinson’s absurd claim, her intention to benefit herself over the public interest is very clear. With a recession biting, and jobs being lost left, right and centre, politicians who have made such frivolous claims have no moral authority over the people of Northern Ireland.