Lib Dem Elwyn Watkins pledges transparency on expenses

4.14.57pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th May 2009

As the row over MPs' expenses shows no signs of going away, prospective Lib Dem MP Elwyn Watkins has pledged to be totally open and transparent about his expenses if elected to represent the people of Oldham East & Saddleworth.

Speaking after being contacted by angry local residents about the issue Elwyn Watkins said: "Many local residents have said how angry they are about these damaging revelations. I share those concerns and have felt a mixture of anger and despair about the claims that have been made public about some MPs by the national media over the last few days.

"Many of those under scrutiny by the press are government Ministers, including our Oldham MP Mr Woolas, and if there is any grain of truth in the allegations made against him by The Telegraph then he should be absolutely ashamed of himself.

"If elected, I pledge to publish any expenses that I claim for on my website on a regular basis as I believe in complete openness and transparency.

"I agree with Nick Clegg that the whole system is in disrepute and we need to radically change things, and get a totally new system in place. People must be able to trust their elected representatives."