Fed-up MPs demand refunds after ministers cancel their half-term holidays

MPs demanded refunds for cancelled holidays from Parliament's expenses watchdog within minutes of ministers calling off the week-long break today. 

The Commons recess schedule for next month was formally ditched to allow more time to break the political deadlock over Brexit. 

But critics said the Government had caused its own problems by cancelling the first vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal in December only to lose it anyway earlier this month.

The delay has caused a major backlog in the new laws needed for Brexit with just 57 days left - whether or not there is a deal

But the move has caused misery for many politicians who usually take the break to go skiing or soak up some winter sun. 

One MP even claimed to be 'more scared of his wife than Julian Smith', the Tory chief whip. 

The Commons expenses watchdog has also deepened their woes by flatly refusing to cover the costs of holiday cancellations.

A spokeswoman for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) confirmed that, although they pay expenses if the Commons is recalled to deal with a crisis, they would not reimburse MPs for recess being cancelled 'in advance'. 





MailOnline