Geralda Markauf.

I haven't been blogging on every single expenses scandal because other people are doing it and a few of the scandals don't look partilularly bad*, but I've got to say Gerald Kaufman's extravagance is breathtaking even by the standards of people like Douglas Hogg who get their moats cleaned at taxpayers expense:

Labour grandee** Sir Gerald Kaufman made an extraordinary claim on his expenses for an £8,865 television.

The former Environment Minister was also hauled before officials to discuss a separate claim of £28,834 for work on the kitchen and bathroom of his London flat.

What makes it all the more galling is that Kaufman is sanctimonious about denouncing greed, he even appeared on for the prosecution on a Channel 4 programme a few years ago called "The Trial Of Margaret Thatcher" in which he accused her of fostering a culture of greed. Perhaps she made him do it.

It wouldn't be so bad if he were a brilliant MP, but he is a man who has managed to be an MP for almost 40 years without once voting against the party whip, which means that either his conscience has always been 100% in line with party policy or he just doesn't care.

* The cases against Phil Woolas, David Willetts & Ming Campbell look pretty weak to me.
** Do Labour have Grandees? I suppose if you a £9000 TV then you're a grandee.