Did Parliament's expenses chief deliberately sabotage MPs allowances, an MP asks

Andrew Walker, Parliament's expenses chief, caused a stir after his appearance in front of a tribunal last week, suggesting fish tanks may be claimable and appearing unable to explain why the £400 unreceipted food allwance for MPs was not mentioned in any public document. But was this a deliberate wrecking strategy, an MP has now asked.

According to the well-connected source, Walker is an exceptionally smart individual. He started the job in 1997 and - according to this MP - is by far the most rigorous person to hold that position. Before he arrived, MPs could spend the allowance on pretty much anything - with no receipts. Now under his reforms MPs must produce paperwork for much - though not all - of the £23,000 allowance.

The Additional Costs Allowance must be a hassle to administer for Mr Walker's department, particularly now it has become hugely politically post-Conway. Perhaps he too would like reform. Was this a very effective route to embarrass MPs into changing the system?