Watchdog warns of 'bad apple'MPs

Outgoing Commons watchdog Elizabeth Filkin said today that a few bad apples among MPs are bringing the rest into disrepute.

In her first interview since losing her job as Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, she warned new incumbent, Philip Mawer, of the difficulty of investigating MPs, saying: "Most Members are decent. The fact that a few are up to dodgy things does bring the rest of the place into disrepute. That is a pity."

Mr Mawer has said he will focus on the more serious complaints and try to deal swiftly with smaller grievances. But Mrs Filkin, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said: "You don't know whether something is a big issue or a trivial issue until you have done an investigation."