MPs expenses: Ten most bizarre claims
Which MP claimed for two grapefruit bowls?
Also In The News
|
By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 04, Feb 2010 12:30
By Matthew Champion.
Video: MPs expenses audit published
MPs expenses: Ten largest repayments
Full story: MPs to bay back 1.12 million in expenses
10 Lord Mandelson
The business secretary was paid £1,800 in gardening costs in 2004/05, exceeding the £1,000-a-year total by £800.
9 Michael Ancram
Conservative MP for Devizes
The Tory grandee wrongly claimed £171.08 for servicing a swimming pool boiler and for a boiler in a cottage attached to his second home.
8 John Redwood
Conservative MP for Wokingham
The former Conservative leadership challenger was paid £112 in March 2005 for reseeding his lawn.
7 Alistair Darling
The chancellor claimed £1,104 for a chest of drawers in February 2007 - £554 over the guideline price.
6 Dr Roger Berry
Labour MP for Kingswood
Among the litany of exuberant household claims by the MP were a washer/dryer, a dishwasher, a lamp table and two bedside cabinets.
5 James Arbuthnot
Conservative MP for North East Hampshire
The former chair of the defence select committee claimed £150 for garden compost over four months in 2008.
4 Bob Ainsworth
The defence secretary wrongly claimed £575 for an antique Welsh dresser in February 2007 - antiques are not available under Green Book rules.
3 Iris Robinson
The former DUP MP, who stood down amid controversy over her financial dealings and affair with her then 19-year-old lover in 2008, was paid £1,644.90 in January 2006 for the cost of a bed, exceeding the guideline price by £544.90.
2 Anthony Steen
Conservative MP for Totnes
He of the infamous "I have a very, very large house" jealousy rant last year claimed £184.49 for skip hire, 23 garden plants and... a flagpole rope. All part of £10,252.22 in gardening claims from the MP whose house looks like Balmoral.
1 Sir Gerald Kaufman
Labour MP for Manchester Gorton
Sir Gerald was paid £240.95 in 2006/07 for two Waterford grapefruit bowls, purchased as replacements for breakage.