MP defends a 'trivial' claim for clothes hangers

LICHFIELD MP Michael Fabricant has defended expense claims he has made while living and working in London.

A full list of claims, published last week, revealed that for 2007/8 the MP claimed for a John Lewis non-slip tie hanger and a set of three John Lewis non-slip trouser hangers costing £12, two Blackberry curve lambskin leather holsters at £18.99 apiece and the £740.25 cost of preparing his tax return.

A regular sum is also claimed by the MP for food, utilities at his London flat, council tax, service and maintenance and repairs insurance.

"This is all a bit trivial but the House of Commons provides a clothes rack for my office there but they were unable to provide any hangers," said Mr Fabricant.

"Therefore we purchased some and through mail order rather than have staff spend time on shopping."

Mr Fabricant said that the Blackberry holster is a 'standard accessory' and that nearly all MPs use a tax consultant.

"There is a reason for this," he explained.

"There are additional forms that the Inland Revenue produce for MPs over and above those for a standard taxpayer."

In terms of food Mr Fabricant said the cost of eating is well in excess of the amount he claims.

"I am actually out of pocket having to live in London," he said.

Regarding council tax Mr Fabricant said he would not have a home in London if he was not an MP.

"The total allowances that I get are the maximum, but are substantially less than the actual cost of having to work there," he said.

"Personally, it would make more sense if the House of Commons was in York, which is half the price of London and midway between the north of Scotland and the south of England," he said.

Although welcoming the publication of expenses, Mr Fabricant is clearly concerned about the possible affect of the row.

"We have to be very careful now how we go on this issue." he said.

"The reality is it is not cheap living in London. It is the second most expensive city in the world.

"Property prices are high, especially in Westminster, and eating out is astronomical.

"If we are to attract the brightest and the best to the House of Commons they cannot be expected either to be out of pocket or have their expenses claims constantly questioned except, by official auditors employed for that purpose."

Rugeley MP Tony Wright welcomed the publication of expenses and has also been asked to chair a new commission on Parliamentary reform.

"I have long campaigned for full transparency about the expenses and allowances that MPs claim, as this is the only way to really clean up the system," said Dr Wright.

"In my own case, the figures show that my claims are among the lowest of any MP."