More than a dozen former MPs were handed peerages yesterday despite being caught out in the expenses scandal. Among them was a Tory grandee who billed taxpayers for cleaning the moat on his country estate.
David Cameron was accused of an “expensive insult to the public” as he gave honours to friends and allies including 14 Downing Street staff, and peerages to five former special advisers and two party donors.
Mr Cameron has now created more peers than any other modern prime minister and at a faster rate.
Nick Clegg handed honours to four former party donors while ensuring that 11 new Liberal Democrat peers were created — three more than the party’s present tally of MPs. Ed Miliband nominated the aide who ran Labour’s