Lib Dems swept into scandal as Sir Ming's £10,000 bill for flat is revealed

Published on 13/05/2009 01:34

FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell became the latest senior political figure to be engulfed in the expenses scandal last night.

It emerged the North-East Fife MP hired an interior designer to refurbish his London home at the taxpayers' expense.

It was reported that he spent nearly 10,000 on renovating his small flat in Westminster's Dolphin Square.

Sir Menzies said the expense was justified because he had not used his full second home allowance in previous years.

The claim under the additional costs allowance included a new king-size bed at 1,024, Roman blinds worth 528.75, five cushions costing 176.25 and a 1,515 decorating bill. The designer is reported to be a family friend who has been in charge of refurbishing a leading hotel.

Meanwhile, another Liberal Democrat MP claimed expenses for a second home used by his student daughter, it was reported.

Andrew George claimed 847 a month for mortgage interest payments for his riverside flat in Rotherhithe, London. But the insurance policy included in his expense forms is in the name of his 21-year-old daughter, Morvah George. It was reported that Mr George, MP for St Ives, admitted his daughter used the flat as a "bolt-hole" but denied she spent more time there than he did.

Meanwhile, party leader Nick Clegg claimed the maximum second home allowance and exceeded his budget by more than 100 at the same time he was calling for reform of the system. It was reported that he had promised to repay a phone bill that included calls to Vietnam and Colombia.

Lib Dem housing spokesman Lembit Opik said he would refund 40 he claimed for a court summons he received for not paying his council tax.

Home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne charged taxpayers 119 for a trouser press which was delivered to his main home, not his second home. He has agreed to repay this money.

Treasury spokeswoman Julia Goldsworthy spent thousands of pounds shortly before the deadline for using the second home allowance. This included a leather rocking chair from designer furniture store Heal's.

She said she bought the flat in south London, on 31 March, 2006 and had claimed only "reasonable costs".