THAT there has been shameful abuse of the expenses system by some MPs is beyond doubt.

Cashing in on more than one property by an immoral practice which has become known as “flipping”, overclaiming for mortgages or services, and buying needlessly expensive items out of the public purse were unacceptable.

That said, we have sympathy for the many MPs who have not abused the system and are now suffering as a result of the excesses of others.

If the reputation of Parliament is to be restored – and it is in a truly battered state – all MPs have to accept the need for a clean-up.

In pointing the way forward, independent auditor Sir Thomas Legg has ruffled lots of Westminster feathers by applying limits on claims retrospectively.

That means annual claims above £2,000 for cleaning and £1,000 for gardening should be repaid, even though they were within the Parliamentary rules at the time.

We understand why MPs feel it is unfair that the goalposts should be moved given that Sir Thomas was charged with carrying out a review “in accordance with the rules at the time”.

But the problem for MPs is that the original goalposts were positioned so dubiously that the Westminster defence is full of holes.

It is a case of taking it on the chin, learning from the terrible misjudgements of the past, and establishing a a new, transparent system for claiming legitimate expenses.

It may not be entirely fair, but it is the only option left for MPs who will be scrambling for votes in a General Election very soon.