THE delivery yesterday of letters to MPs from the man brought in to review their expenses claims was meant to draw a line under the scandal.

This was the moment when MPs were to be told whether they were in the clear, whether they had to pay money back, or whether Sir Thomas Legg wanted more explanations about individual claims.

Instead we got a Whitehall farce.

While some high profile names – most notably the prime minister – received their letters; others were still waiting for them as we went to press last night.

And some MPs were being told their letters were “at the printers” and not to expect them until today.

What a joke. Parliament has been in recess for more than 80 days. Surely getting these letters into the pigeon holes of MPs on their first day back should have been a priority for the Commons authorities.

The expenses scandal has tainted every MP – guilty or innocent. Yesterday their constituents should have been able to judge them on the basis of Sir Thomas’ independent audit of their last five years of claims.

Instead the saga limps on.

Some MPs are unhappy that Sir Thomas has applied new claims limit for items such as gardening and cleaning retrospectively. They should shut up and pay up.

The retrospective rules mean the prime minister has to pay back more than £12,000. We doubt other parties will attempt to make political capital out of this. MPs of all political hues are in the same boat.

Mr Brown ordered this review and it is right that he abides by its findings.

Some MPs might think it unfair that the rules have changed on claims honestly made five years ago.

But public opinion has determined the rules that were in place were wrong – and MPs have no choice but to take their medicine.