Britain could face early general election

THE most senior official in the lower house of parliament apologised to the British nation for an expenses scandal among lawmakers that has prompted growing calls for an early general election.

“Please allow me to say to the men and women of the United Kingdom that we have let you down very badly indeed,” Speaker Michael Martin said in a speech to a packed chamber.

Sidestepping calls to step down over his handling of the crisis, Martin said he would meet party leaders within the next 48 hours to discuss reforms to an allowances system which has seen lawmakers claim for everything from bath plugs and biscuits to cat food and cleaning work on their swimming pools.