United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal ultimately covered the entire gamut of Parliament—all major parties and several minor ones, ministers (including the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, cabinet and shadow cabinet members) through to backbenchers, and members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. A number of members were expelled from their parties, or would not stand for re-election; some members repaid, in part or whole, sums they had previously claimed. Expenses claims to be repaid averaged £3,000 with the highest repayment being £42,458.21 by Barbara Follett. There were also payments to the UK tax authority for taxes on possible gains
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