MPs have still not learnt the lessons of the expenses scandal

Editorial: The latest revelation by The Independent shows our politicians need to be more vigilant when claiming public money

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) ought to scrutinise claims more carefully (PA Archive)

It has been 14 years since the MPs’ expenses scandal did so much to damage respect for our democratic institutions. It might have been thought that every member of parliament would have understood since then how important it is that they avoid any suggestion of impropriety in seeking to be reimbursed for the costs of carrying out their public duties.

Sadly, this has proved not to be the case. Some of the blame for this state of affairs lies with Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, who adopted a cavalier attitude to the rules, and to the public servants attempting to enforce them. Most of his controversial expenses were borne by rich friends and supporters, but Mr Johnson’s approach to disclosing who had paid for what often consisted of denial and obfuscation.