We must have all been pretty disgusted by the spectacle of former ministers - Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon (all current MPs) touting for business - as seen on the Channel 4 Dispatches programme this week. But, were we surprised? Probably not.

After all that we have witnessed in this past year - we know that many MPs have a limited grasp on the concept of "public service" and the "public interest" and how these old-fashioned (as it seems) notions - at the heart of their own code of conduct - should trump personal interest every time.

Gordon Brown defeated over plan to clean up Parliament - PM's new proposals were designed to govern MPs behaviour after the fallout from The Telegraph's expenses revelations. [Telegraph latest MPs expenses]

Well serves Gordon Brown right in my opinion. He just can't resist "knee-jerk" legislation can he?