Let's keep this simple. There is no -- repeat, no -- need to reform the House of Commons rule book on expenses.

In other words, there is no -- repeat, no -- excuse for blaming the rules or the system for the abuse that has taken place.

There is only a requirement that MPs read the rules. Out loud. While standing in the naughty corner of their constituency offices in front of their unpaid volunteers. And after writing out a cheque to reimburse the taxpayer.

Why? Easy. Read what the rules actually say...

• Claims should be above reproach and must reflect actual usage of the resources being claimed.
• Claims must only be made for expenditure that it was necessary for a Member to incur to ensure that he or she could properly perform his or her parliamentary duties.
• Members must ensure that claims do not give rise to, or give the appearance of giving rise to, an improper personal financial benefit to themselves or anyone else.
• Members are committed to openness about what expenditure has been incurred and for what purposes.
• The requirement of ensuring value for money is central in claiming for accommodation, goods or services - Members should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious.

This comes from the Commons Green Book. What could be clearer than this? Admittedly, the rules are about 70 pages long -- but you don't have to read beyond page 8 to take in the key principles above.

But because MPs aren't generally the smartest guys in the room, the guide gives a few helpful tips, in the form of self-examining questions. Things like...

• Is this purchase supporting me in carrying out my parliamentary duties? Anything which is done for personal benefit or for electioneering or for the direct support of a political party will not be part of a Member's parliamentary duties.
• Could the claim in any way damage the reputation of Parliament or its Members?
• How comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?

So here's a test for MPs who have fallen foul of these fairly basic principles: Are you crooked? Or just stupid?

And which of those two qualities best equips you to be a Member of Parliament?

Grrrrr!

Oh, one more thing: send in HMRC to decide whether the unreimbursed expenses claims that MPs think they're still entitled to count as taxable benefits or not. Let the taxman reach the parts that even the Daily Telegraph hasn't reached yet.

Latest news: HMRC may investigate "flipping" (read story)...

The country is financially bankrupt. The government is morally bankrupt. Why do I find myself more shocked by the second statement than the first???