Treasury Minister David Laws 'should step aside'

[Quintus]

If he had been honest about his sexuality and his partner he could have legitimately claimed even more for a second home. He hasn't defrauded anyone except himself.

That excuse sounds like a variation of: "Yes I know I flipped my house, but I could have claimed more on my travel and groceries, so I've only cheated myself".

The MPs wrote the rules so that they could ride a juggernaut through them and still some abused what was written down. At least David Laws has resigned now.

[Aurora]

If he had been honest about his sexuality and his partner he could have legitimately claimed even more for a second home. He hasn't defrauded anyone except himself.

Ken, if this had been a Labour minister, would you have been quite as generous with your remarks? Honestly?

[JonB]

If he had been honest about his sexuality and his partner he could have legitimately claimed even more for a second home. He hasn't defrauded anyone except himself.

Agreed. He had boxed himself into a corner. The rule change in 2006 excluded spouses, so if he'd have changed then, it would have been a dead giveaway. He was wrong, and his actions since have bourne out he is a man with integrity.

The pious rantings on here are pure Daily Mail.
Laws took a huge paycut to be an MP, and seems to have done a good job all round.
The fact you "don't give a stuff" about his sexuality is as irrelevant as your views on popstar's marriages. What matters to him is family and friends. I had a friend I knew for 5 years before he came out to me. His family are brilliant, but he still went through agonies before telling them. If Laws' folks have been homophobic all his life, what was he to do?

The only solution according to some of you is to go back to when MPs were not paid, got no expenses, oh, and were all rich. Oh, and straight, white, public school & oxbridge. We are already half way there.

I look forward to those critising Laws to publish full details of their private lives, including such factors as illegal drug use, petty theft from work etc. and standing for parliament and maybe doing something to help the country?

Any takers?

[Aurora]

If he had been honest about his sexuality and his partner he could have legitimately claimed even more for a second home. He hasn't defrauded anyone except himself.

Agreed. He had boxed himself into a corner. The rule change in 2006 excluded spouses, so if he'd have changed then, it would have been a dead giveaway. He was wrong, and his actions since have bourne out he is a man with integrity.

The pious rantings on here are pure Daily Mail.
Laws took a huge paycut to be an MP, and seems to have done a good job all round.
The fact you "don't give a stuff" about his sexuality is as irrelevant as your views on popstar's marriages. What matters to him is family and friends. I had a friend I knew for 5 years before he came out to me. His family are brilliant, but he still went through agonies before telling them. If Laws' folks have been homophobic all his life, what was he to do?

The only solution according to some of you is to go back to when MPs were not paid, got no expenses, oh, and were all rich. Oh, and straight, white, public school & oxbridge. We are already half way there.

I look forward to those critising Laws to publish full details of their private lives, including such factors as illegal drug use, petty theft from work etc. and standing for parliament and maybe doing something to help the country?

Any takers?

Absolute rubbish. The man only came clean about his expenses AFTER the Telegraph's revelation.

In my book, the word integrity should only be used with caution. Your integrity is an instinctive set of moral beliefs which you compromise at your peril.

The whole parliamentary expenses furore has highlighted the fact that the system has been far too lax for many years (probably since the days of Oliver Cromwell) and is riddled with loop holes that many (most?) MP's have abused to the max.

A person with REAL integrity would not have been tempted to circumvent the system in such a cavalier manner. Anyway, if Laws was genuinely innocent, then why resign. A man of true integrity would have had nothing to hide and would have fought to the bitter end to defend his good character.

Sounds pious? Good. Perhaps it's time for a few more people of integrity to stand up and be counted.

[JonB]

If he had been honest about his sexuality and his partner he could have legitimately claimed even more for a second home. He hasn't defrauded anyone except himself.

Agreed. He had boxed himself into a corner. The rule change in 2006 excluded spouses, so if he'd have changed then, it would have been a dead giveaway. He was wrong, and his actions since have bourne out he is a man with integrity.

The pious rantings on here are pure Daily Mail.
Laws took a huge paycut to be an MP, and seems to have done a good job all round.
The fact you "don't give a stuff" about his sexuality is as irrelevant as your views on popstar's marriages. What matters to him is family and friends. I had a friend I knew for 5 years before he came out to me. His family are brilliant, but he still went through agonies before telling them. If Laws' folks have been homophobic all his life, what was he to do?

The only solution according to some of you is to go back to when MPs were not paid, got no expenses, oh, and were all rich. Oh, and straight, white, public school & oxbridge. We are already half way there.

I look forward to those critising Laws to publish full details of their private lives, including such factors as illegal drug use, petty theft from work etc. and standing for parliament and maybe doing something to help the country?

Any takers?

Absolute rubbish. The man only came clean about his expenses AFTER the Telegraph's revelation.

In my book, the word integrity should only be used with caution. Your integrity is an instinctive set of moral beliefs which you compromise at your peril.

The whole parliamentary expenses furore has highlighted the fact that the system has been far too lax for many years (probably since the days of Oliver Cromwell) and is riddled with loop holes that many (most?) MP's have abused to the max.

A person with REAL integrity would not have been tempted to circumvent the system in such a cavalier manner. Anyway, if Laws was genuinely innocent, then why resign. A man of true integrity would have had nothing to hide and would have fought to the bitter end to defend his good character.

Sounds pious? Good. Perhaps it's time for a few more people of integrity to stand up and be counted.

When do you intend to stand?

[Aurora]

JonB, if you can't see the logic in my response to your comments, then you obviously don't begin to understand the meaning of the word integrity.

Here's one definition:

Integrity - a steadfast adherence to a strict moral principle or ethical code.

[JonB]

JonB, if you can't see the logic in my response to your comments, then you obviously don't begin to understand the meaning of the word integrity.

Here's one definition:

Integrity - a steadfast adherence to a strict moral principle or ethical code.

I understand your point.
My point was that normally good people can do things that are wrong through societal / family pressures. If once the issue is out in the open they then act in a reasonable manner that deserves credit.
I believe Laws is is this situation. I also believe he would have been a very good Chief Sec to the Treasury when we really need one.

Do you seriously not know anyone who has been in that position?

[biffvernon]

What's so difficult about a steadfast adherence to a strict moral principle or ethical code such as don't falsely claim 40k when you're already a millionaire?

[JonB]

What's so difficult about a steadfast adherence to a strict moral principle or ethical code such as don't falsely claim 40k when you're already a millionaire?

OK, I give up.