MPs slammed for New Year's celebration in London

London: MPs were on Saturday night accused of "insensitivity" for throwing a private New Year's Eve party on the Commons river terrace — so they can watch a spectacular end-of-the-decade fireworks show.

After a year of scandals over their expenses, 340 MPs, peers and their guests are paying £10 (Dh59) a head for an exclusive celebration in the shadow of Big Ben.

As thousands of ordinary revellers in Central London stand shivering in the cold to bring in the New Year, MPs will bid farewell to 2009 by gathering in a marquee across the river from the free London Eye firework show.

Professional party organisers said the market rate for a ticket to such a unique event would be closer to £100 a head.