Police called in as expenses revelations get more bizarre

Published on Friday 8 May 2009 22:11

FURTHER embarrassing details of ministers' expenses emerged last night after a day in which the Cabinet was forced to defend their claims for taxpayers' cash. The Commons also asked the police to investigate the apparent leaking of expenses details for all 646 MPs.

The latest revelations included tourism minister Barbara Follett's claim for more than 25,000 for security patrols outside her London home and a backbencher's use of 22,500 of public money to treat dry rot at her seaside house.

Immigration minister Phil Woolas was forced to deny he purchased clothing for his wife on expenses, along with nappies and comics. The Oldham MP said he was taking legal advice, branding the allegations "disgusting".

Keith Vaz, who chairs the home affairs select committee, was reported to have bought and furnished a London flat with more than 75,000 of public money, despite living just 12 miles away with his wife in a 1.15 million property.

One of the most startling records to emerge so far belonged to Labour backbencher Margaret Moran.

The Luton MP reportedly spent 22,500 of taxpayers' money treating dry rot at her seaside house, 100 miles from her constituency – days after switching her "second home" to the address. The parliamentary authorities were concerned the work broke the "spirit" of the rules, but the claim was not blocked.

Over four years, Ms Moran also spent thousands of pounds on three properties, switching between Westminster, Luton and Southampton and renovating each in turn.

Meanwhile, Mrs Follett, a millionaire married to best-selling novelist Ken, was said to have been asked a year ago to justify the security spending by the Commons fees office. She apparently said the patrols were needed as she "did not feel safe".

Ben Bradshaw, the health minister, switched the designation of his second home to a property he shares with his partner in west London. Mr Bradshaw claimed the entire interest bill on the property – despite owning only half the property.

Earlier yesterday, 13 senior members of the government, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, denied breaking parliamentary rules after their claims were made public by a newspaper apparently in possession of stolen information.

Mr Brown was found to have paid his brother, Andrew, 6,577 for a share of a cleaning bill, while Chancellor Alistair Darling and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon came under the spotlight for "flipping" between addresses to maximise second home allowance claims.

Questions were also being asked of Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, who claimed for three different properties in a year. Elsewhere, claims were made for a Kit-Kat, two cans of cat food, eyeliner, a chocolate Santa and horse manure for garden fertiliser.

Sir Alistair Graham, the former sleaze watchdog, said: "The rules are being stretched to the absolute limit in a way which is allowing MPs to enhance their personal income."

The publication of the claims pre-empted a planned release in July by the Commons authorities. Yesterday, those authorities requested a Metropolitan Police investigation into the leaking of the details to the Daily Telegraph. This came as Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary – said to have submitted a 3,000 repair bill for his home as he stood down as an MP – criticised "flipping" between properties.

Speaking to business leaders in Edinburgh, Lord Mandelson said: "I think it is reasonable that you make clear what your main and secondary home is and you stick to that."

MPs were told by the Commons authorities that there were reasonable grounds to assume criminal behaviour was behind the leak of the data, which contained members' addresses. Scotland Yard later confirmed it was considering whether to launch an investigation.

Details also emerged of MPs' letters to the parliamentary authorities, attempting to justify expense claims that had been questioned.

One ex-Labour minister wrote: "I object to your decision not to reimburse me for the costs of a baby's cot for use in my London home ... perhaps you might write to me explaining where my son should sleep next time he visits me in London?"

A Tory MP attempting to claim 5,347 for a new kitchen insisted: "The work surfaces are no longer hygienic and the sink unit is scratched and very ugly."

Mr Brown, who was last week forced to withdraw plans to replace the 24,000-a-year second homes allowance, said the system was "wrong and should be amended".

A review by Sir Christopher Kelly's committee on standards in public life is under way but may not report until the end of the year.

David Cameron, the Tory leader, said: "Let's get rid of the (expenses] categories that allow barbecues and patio heaters. People are fed up."

TEN WAYS TO WORK THE WESTMINSTER SYSTEM

1. 'FLIPPING':

Numerous MPs have "switched" their second home from London to the constituency to allow them to claim for renovation work.

2. PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

MPs can sell their homes, pocket the profit and then move to a new home that needs work.

3. COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION

Some MPs have claimed the full amount back for their council tax even though they pay discounted rates on their second homes.

4. END-OF-YEAR 'GOLD RUSH'

MPs sometimes go on a spending spree just before the new financial year to use up their allowance.

5. 'END OF LIFE' REPAIRS

Just before an MP stands down, there is sometimes a sudden flurry of building work on their home, charged to the taxpayer.

6. CAPITAL GAINS TAX

MPs can redesignate their second home as their main home if they decide to sell it, saving thousands of pounds in capital gains tax.

7. BUYING GOODS FOR THE "WRONG" HOME

The rules allow MPs to claim for furniture for their second home. However, some MPs have used expenses to claim for items delivered to their main home.

8. SECOND HOME SLIP

MPs sometimes nominate family homes as their second home, which allows them to charge larger bills.

9. MAXIMUM ABUSE

Receipts for amounts under 250 did not have to be supplied until recently, so many claims were for just under that amount.

10. 'STUFFING IT'

MPs can claim 400 a month for food, even in the summer break.

CLAIMS

SOME of the items claimed on expenses by unnamed MPs:

Horse manure for garden, 10

Yucca plant, 9.99

Two cans of chicken and turkey cat food, 78p

Chocolate Santa, 59p

Two elephant-shaped lamps, 134.30

Potato peeler, 4.50

Eyeliner, 2.50

Wine rack, 14.99

Reusable plastic bag, Ikea, 5p

Ice cube tray, 1.50

Visits by mole catcher, 35 per quarter, 140 per year

Piano tuning, 40

Footstool, 199

Visit by pool maintenance man, 98.63

Visits by rat catcher, 199 per quarter, 796 per year

Pizza cutter, 3