Dead chipmunk walking. Or not.

Here is why Gordon Brown is in a mess over MPs’ expenses. Study his response to the Hazel Blears question. To remind you she’s ‘paid back’ around £13k to the ‘Inland Revenue’ for Capital Gains Tax she owes on her property flipping*. Mr Brown said in his press conference yesterday that her behaviour was unacceptable, but that she had abided by the law and the rules. It sounded fairly damning, a clear sign that the chipmunk is for the chop. Betting is that she’ll be dumped in the reshuffle. Today on GMTV the Prime Minister said: “Hazel didn’t break any rule or law. But what she did was unacceptable. She came to me, we talked about it and she paid back the money.” Later his spokesman said she was doing a “good job” as Communities Secretary. So her behaviour was unacceptable, even though she didn’t break any rules or laws and she’s doing a good job. So unacceptable behaviour is acceptable as long as it’s legal? (thwacks faulty moral compass to get a reading). Much more of this and her lawyers will have a field day.

*As far as anyone can tell she hasn’t technically paid back as she wasn’t facing a demand from HMRC (Inland Revenue as was); it will probably be treated as a credit on account, and the amount anyway would be a matter for HMRC (Inland Revenue as was) to calculate (did she factor in penalty charges for instance?).