OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says any federal Conservative who is in politics to seek personal gain from public office should get out of his caucus.

Speaking to his MPs and senators in the wake of a scandal that has taken down his own chief of staff, Harper says he is going to tighten Senate expense rules.

He reminded the caucus of a 2005 speech when he said that anyone planning to reap personal benefits from public life should change those plans or get out of the Conservative party.

Many in the caucus looked sombre as they awaited Harper’s arrival, but they greeted his speech with an ovation.

Two Conservative senators have left the caucus amid lingering questions about their expense claims.

On the weekend, Harper’s chief of staff, Nigel Wright, resigned after acknowledging that he gave Sen. Mike Duffy a $90,000 gift to repay his disallowed expenses.

(The Canadian Press)