Sleeping beauties

We can’t really let today go by without mentioning Nicholas Cecil’s extraordinary scoop in the Standard.  Here’s a snippet:

“MPs are sleeping secretly in the Commons after being stripped of their second home allowance. A handful of parliamentarians are bedding down at Westminster during the week because they are now banned from claiming on the taxpayer for a hotel, a rented flat, or a mortgage on a second home. But they want to stay anonymous for fear they will be evicted on health and safety grounds. “I’m not complaining. I’m just getting on with it,” said a Tory who asked not to be named. “I’m desperately trying to do the best for my constituents, which is to be here.” Also said to be staying overnight are a senior Tory backbencher and a Conservative who represents an outer London seat. They are understood to be using makeshift arrangements such as camp beds — but they have been kept awake by the bongs of Big Ben, as well as other noises around the neighbourhood.