MPS plan revenge over new role of Ipsa chief

MPS will try to block the former head of the expenses watchdog from taking a new public role in an act of “revenge”.

Sir Ian Kennedy, the former head of Ipsa, has been recommended as a new commissioner at the Electoral Commission, the elections watchdog. MPS are still furious with Sir Ian after he implemented a crackdown on claims and allowances in the wake of the expenses scandal, which was exposed by The Daily Telegraph.

They plan to shout “object” when a formal motion on Sir Ian’s appointment is tabled in the Commons next week. They need only one objection to delay the motion, and are threatening to do so indefinitely.

Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said: “This is a frivolous misuse of their powers.” Sir Ian declined to comment.