I know the expenses scandal in the UK is beginning to run out of steam (in summary public outrage ensued after members of parliament were caught claiming everything from duck ponds to 1p mobile phone calls), but this story made me laugh.
The Times (via Dusan Writer) mentioned in passing that a Conservative MP, Mark Field for the City of London and Westminster claimed £250 ($380) on expenses for "the design of an Internet avatar."
Bearing in mind that kitting out an avatar with off the shelf clothes and 'skins' in the virtual world Second Life can easily be done for £10 / $16, I was keen to see what Mark had got himself for the money.
Sadly we won't know as Mark Field's avatar profile has been scrubbed completely clean, which implies he was one of many to rush in during the 2006/2007 boom only to head for the exit when it became less fashionable in 2008.
A blog and news search also reveals no mentions of Mark Field's work in Second Life. So that was money well spent then. Though I guess if you are going to charge the tax payer for a second home, it might as well be a £250 virtual one than a £250k real one.
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