United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal "The Daily Telegraph" obtained a full copy of all expenses claims. The "Telegraph" began publishing, in instalments from 8 May 2009, certain MPs' expenses. The "Telegraph" justified the publication of the information because it contended that the official information due to be released would have omitted key information about re-designating of second-home nominations. The information in the leaks published by "The Daily Telegraph" originated from the parliamentary fees office, and had been offered to other newspaper organisations for more than £150,000. In September 2009, the assistant editor of the "Telegraph", Andrew Pierce, revealed in an interview that the newspaper had
Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary primaries Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary primaries Since 2009, the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom has experimented with the use of open primaries to select some parliamentary candidates. Three primaries were held ahead of the 2010 general election in Oxford West & Abingdon, Totnes and Gosport. More than a dozen primaries were held ahead of the 2015 general election. Michael Ellis was selected for Northampton North in 2006. Totnes was the first constituency to use an open primary to select the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. The election was held in August 2009 and saw a turnout of approximately 25%. Due to