THE LONG wait for details of two Hounslow's MPs' expense claims is set to continue, after the House of Commons appealed a recent watchdog ruling that they should be disclosed.
The Information Commissioner last month ordered Parliament to release details of Ann and Alan Keens' expenses, along with those of four other MPs including former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
But on July 12 - the final day of a 28-day appeal period - the House of Commons Commission, which is in charge of releasing details of MPs' expenses, appealed the ruling.
The issue will now go to an appeal tribunal for a hearing in August.
The Keens have repeatedly refused to explain publicly how nearly £100,000 of allowances claimed between 2001 and 2004 have been spent.
They have faced persistent rumours that they have a mortgage on a second home in Covent Garden which is paid for by claims under the additional costs allowance.
This reimburses MPs from outside greater London for overnight stays in the capital while on Parliamentary business.
There is no suggestion of the Keens claiming money to which they are not entitled, but with the couple's home less than 10 miles from Westminster, critics claim it is 'morally wrong' of them to pocket the allowance.
A spokesman for Alan Keen said the issue was being dealt with by the House of Commons authorities, and that the pair had co-operated fully.
"The MPs are not involved in this and it is Parliament - not them - who are appealing the Freedom of Information ruling.
"We have had no contact at all from the authorities on this," he said.
