"On the basis of these allegations it seems to me that, prima facie, there are grounds for a major investigation by the various commissioners who have responsibility for standards in Westminster and the Northern Ireland Assembly, and presumably at a local council level as well, " he said.

BBC: Reaction: Robinson revelations

This makes the wait for a review of Westminster's expenses regime by the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, which will propose reforms, all the more frustrating.

ECONOMIST: Expenses-gate