What was the parliamentary expenses scandal that damaged Gordon Brown’s government?

The parliamentary expenses scandal that damaged Gordon Brown’s government was a widespread controversy involving the abuse of taxpayer-funded expense accounts by members of Parliament (MPs).12

Beginning in May 2009, the Daily Telegraph published reports revealing that many MPs had extravagantly misused the "Additional Costs Allowance," a fund intended to help cover the costs of maintaining a second residence. Although the scandal cut across party lines, the Labour Party suffered the brunt of the public backlash.12

The revelations caused significant political damage to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose own cabinet members were implicated. On May 11, 2009, Brown issued a formal apology on behalf of all MPs, acknowledging that the public had a "right to be angry". The scandal, compounded by the ongoing economic recession, contributed to poor performances by the Labour Party in local and European Parliament elections. In the wake of the crisis, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, was forced to resign—the first time a speaker had been forced from the position since 1695.13