Britain's opposition Conservatives said yesterday their politicians would pay back thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to try to quell a row over parliamentary expenses that has outraged voters.
The ruling Labour Party and centre-right Conservatives alike have been damaged by embarrassing revelations about how their politicians have filed expense claims for large sums spent on gardening, home furnishings, repairs and security.
Opposition leader David Cameron, tipped to become Prime Minister next year, said he was sorry for the actions of some Conservative legislators and was taking immediate action to halt abuse of the system.
"Politicians have done things that are unethical and wrong," he told a hastily arranged news conference.
Saying Conservative legislators must set an example of personal responsibility and thrift with public money, he said: "From now on I want them to claim what is reasonable to do their jobs, not the maximum they can get away with".
Revelations by The Daily Telegraph newspaper that senior Conservatives claimed for cleaning their swimming pools, installing a chandelier or buying manure for their gardens have given a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by some.
That grates with voters suffering the worst recession since World War II and undermines Cameron's attempts to tone down the party's elitist image.
Mr Cameron wants to win over working- and middle-class voters as he seeks to end 12 years of Labour rule. The Conservatives have a double-digit lead in the polls with a general election 13 months away at most.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised on behalf of all politicians for the way the expenses system has been milked, but has not ordered wholesale repayment of any of the perks.
Mr Cameron announced that four of his top lieutenants, Michael Gove, Oliver Letwin, Andrew Lansley and Alan Duncan would repay more than £16,000 (€27,130) they had claimed for, respectively, furniture, putting a pipe under a tennis court, home improvements and gardening expenses.
Mr Cameron said he personally would pay back a maintenance bill for an unspecified amount. He said he was setting up a new scrutiny panel to review "excessive" expense claims by Conservative members of Parliament.