Express on Sunday: Lives of MPs get a secret polish online

By Jason Groves POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

COMPUTERS at the House of Commons are being used to secretly embellish MPs' internet biographies.

An investigation by the Sunday Express reveals that PCs on the Parliamentary network have been used to make more than 2,000 anonymous alterations to entries on the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia.

While many changes correct simple factual errors, others seem designed to make certain MPs seem more impressive.

It is impossible to tell who has made the changes, but the Parliamentary network is only open to MPs, peers and staff. Those whose biographies have been improved include:

-Shadow Business Minister Mark Prisk. A Westminster contributor added: "Seen as a rising star."

-Communities Secretary Hazel Blears. Someone added: "She has proved to be an effective performer and is tipped to rise to the top of the Labour Party."

-International Development Minister Shahid Malik. Changes include: "He is respected for being brave and honest on tough issues, but above all fair".

-Tory MP John Bercow. References to him being "the shortest male MP in the Commons" have been removed.

The website tool WikiScanner also reveals that Wikipedia entries have been altered to make attacks and slurs on politicians, including former PM Tony Blair.

Mark Wallace, campaign director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It is a sad reflection of political priorities that so many parliamentarians would rather waste time and taxpayers' money polishing their images rather than improving the lives of their constituents."

"Wasteful posturing on Wikipedia is no substitute for genuine public service."