Were it not so serious, it might be funny. For the past two weeks, Britain has been in a state of stupefied anger at the ingenious ways in which elected politicians have used their expenses system to milk the taxpayer. But a floating duck house?

It emerged this week that Sir Peter Viggers, an opposition Conservative MP, spent £1,645 ($2,590, €1,878) to erect a home for his ducks in the middle of his pond, in an attempt to protect them from marauding foxes. Then he sent the bill to the taxpayer.