Kelly blasts Labour over expenses law

Labour was rocked today after the man tasked with cleaning up MPs' expenses attacked the Queen's Speech for ignoring the issue.

In a rare public criticism of the Government, Sir Christopher Kelly said he was "disappointed" that the package of Bills contained no commitment to enact his sweeping reforms of the corrupted system.

David Cameron used his Queen's Speech reply to tear into the Prime Minister for the absence of the issue. Suggestions that the Tories were somehow in collusion with Sir Christopher were denied, although it emerged that Sir George Young, shadow leader of the Commons, phoned the watchdog to inform him "as a courtesy" that Mr Cameron had raised the issue.

Tory party chairman Eric Pickles said: "The idea that Sir Christopher would be a Tory stooge is laughable. It is typical of the way the Labour Party seems to see those who criticise it as their enemies."

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman hurriedly announced a U-turn on the Government's initial denial that there was any need to pass further laws on expenses. The Kelly report highlighted 11 technical legislative changes. She said: "I will need to reassure Sir Christopher Kelly that the things that he wants done will be done."