last updated: Friday 25 September 2009, 09:40am

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Mole leaked MPs' expenses for sake of armed forces

The mole who leaked details of MPs' expenses did so because he was angry at the Government's failure to invest in Britain's armed forces.

The Daily Telegraph says the mole, who hasn't been named, broke ranks to reveal how some politicians were using taxpayers' money to fund second homes and phantom mortgages.

The civilian employee took the action after being involved in the processing of MPs' expenses files - at the same time as his colleagues, including serving soldiers, were 'moonlighting' to earn extra money for body armour and other equipment.

The MPs' expenses revelations led to widespread recriminations.

It exposed the 'flipping' of second homes, expense claims on paid up mortgages and tax avoidance. Moat cleaning and a duck island were among the things MPs spent public money on.

The Daily Telegraph says: 'The man behind the leak - who is a civilian - has broken cover to tell his story for the first time, in the hope that it will shame the Government into finally supplying the right equipment for soldiers risking their lives in Afghanistan.'

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