So we limp slowly towards MPs being forced into exposing exactly what they are taking our money for in their expenses and how much they are pulling in from outside interests.

Yesterday’s attempts in the Commons to come to some sort of final conclusion to give transparency on MPs’ incomes and expenses became a farce with the main issue of second homes allowance being deferred until an independent inquiry concludes.

But then the way the whole issue has been handled — with the Home Secretary claiming for porn films and naming her sister’s spare room as her main home without having the good grace to resign — didn’t make yesterday’s Westminster day that surprising.

Let us be clear: MPs should be allowed to claim expenses — as long as they are valid and help politicians do their job in representing and serving us.

But if they are going to dip their hands into our pockets then we should be satisfied that the expenditure is genuine.

The issue of outside interests is less clear. Yes, we do know who does what but knowing what their pay-off is must surely be of public interest.

The Tories are right it is outside their Westminster work and could be argued as private, but MPs have put themselves up as public servants and with that comes close scrutiny.