Scots Labour MPs among highest expenses claimers

TWO of Scottish Labour MPs racked up some of the highest expenses claims at the House of Commons during the last year, after charging for huge travel and staffing bills.

Labour MPs Eric Joyce and Brian Donohoe were both in the top five highest claimers at Westminster during 2010-11 - a UK-wide list which included the disgraced former MP Eric Illsley, who was jailed for expenses fraud.

Mr Joyce was the third most expensive MP on the list, with claims of 149,714.21, which included 92,083.80 on staff, 15,345.39 on accommodation and 30,670.39 on travel and subsistence, but just 4,715.26 for his constituency office in Falkirk.

The Labour politician, who emerged as the UK's most expensive MP in 2007-8 after claiming 187,334 in allowances and expenses, told The Scotsman that his latest claims were higher because he had been paying for a member of staff to move "up and down" from Scotland to London to carry out key duties.

Mr Joyce, who was previously revealed to be the first MP to claim more than 1 million cumulatively in expenses, said that next year his claims would be lower because the member of staff was now permanently based in the UK capital.

Meanwhile, Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe was the fifth highest claimer among the UK's 650 MPs during 2010-11, after he charged the taxpayer 147,073.19 - including 91,080.10 on staffing, 16,041.71 on accommodation and 21,395.12 on travel and subsistence.

Mr Donohoe, who also claimed 11,675.93 for his constituency office, would not discuss his expenses when asked by The Scotsman yesterday.

Details of the expenses claims showed that Labour's Gemma Doyle was the best value for Scottish taxpayers on expenses, with the West Dunbartonshire MP claiming 73,541.40.

The claims were revealed yesterday by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which was handed responsibility for publishing details of the payments in the wake of the Commons expenses scandal in 2009.

Emma Boon of the Taxpayers' Alliance said: "Mr Joyce has not listened to the criticism from taxpayers, as he's still near the top of the table for high claims."

Labour MP David Lammy, who represents the north London constituency of Tottenham, topped the UK-wide list of high spending MPs, with 173,922 in expenses claims.

Mr Lammy was followed by former Barnsley Central Labour MP Mr Illsley, who claimed 151,245 in 2010-11 - 38,690 of which was for "winding up" costs incurred when he stepped down as an MP after he was convicted of fraud.

Scotland's top claimers included senior Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce and Labour's Thomas Docherty, who received 141,955.25 and 140,702.73 respectively.

Lib Dem Mr Bruce said that the claims were to cover "what is needed" to perform his duties as the Gordon MP, while Mr Docherty said that he was "mindful" of getting "good value" for the taxpayer.

Mr Bruce, whose expenses included 17,993.85 on travel and subsistence, said: "I fly from Aberdeen, which is not cheap, and I just claim what is needed to do the job."Dunfermline and West Fife MP Mr Docherty, whose claims included 94,171.54 on staffing costs, said: "I put all but one of my staff into my constituency office and from September all of my staff will be there to ensure that my constituents get the best service possible. I'm mindful of getting the best value for the taxpayer that I can and I minimise personal claims."

Labour MP for Dundee West Jim McGovern claimed 146,990.11 in expenses - putting him among the highest spenders among Scottish MPs.

Mr McGovern, who claimed 101,751.97 in staff costs, said: "I value my staff highly, as they play a key role in delivering a good service to my constituents."