IT IS good to know that in these straightened times when millions face destitution and penury as a result of ideological brutality and arrogance that at least we can rely on our elected representatives to tighten their belts in solidarity.

Thus it came as something of a shock when it emerged that those principled types at Westminster were facing questions about hundreds of thousands of pounds A YEAR in expenses for jaunts to meet foreign counterparts.

Our pols have run up eye-watering bills attending sessions of the Council of Europe, Nato and other such bodies.

Now, you may be thinking that you cannot put a price on international diplomacy and security.

Some of the claims, however, raise a few eyebrows.

Take for example the case of Lib Dem Mark Oaten (remember him?) who took a £2,000 taxpayer-funded trip to Athens… for a meeting of a body that was being scrapped and, erm, despite no longer being an MP.

Another disgraced Lib Dem, Mike Hancock, represented GB plc at a three-day meeting of the Political Affairs Committee in New York City — two months after he was forced to quit over an “inappropriate” relationship with a vulnerable constituent.

His flights and travel came to £4,356, and hotel and subsistence £1,096.

Who thought that was a good idea?

Elsewhere John Prescott went to Monaco for a one-day meeting about sustainable development in 2011, with travel costs of £750 and subsistence £574.

Because nothing says “we’re taking this seriously” like sending a moron who can’t string a coherent sentence together.