MP tells of 'cosy carve up' in honours system

10:55am Friday 16th May 2008

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THURROCK MP Andrew Mackinlay had a blast at the government honours system during a debate in Parliament yesterday.

During a discussion on public accounts and the spending of more than £800 billion-worth of public money Mr Mackinlay spoke of the cosy carve up' operated by civil servants before he was halted in his tracks by deputy speaker Sylvia Heal.

“It seems that the biggest screw-ups get the biggest rewards in this country."

Andrew Mackinlay

Interjecting into comments about the UK ambassador's residence in Dublin, Mr Mackinlay said: "As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee I am frustrated about a monumental screw-up by senior officials who then are preferred in the honours system - one of them made the House of Lords.

"It seems that the biggest screw-ups get the biggest rewards in this country.

"Why do we not sack people who are responsible for malfeasance and irresponsibility?

"I shall answer my own question: it is because there is a cosy carve-up"

At that point the deputy speaker stepped in and stopped him continuing.