Lib Dem MP tried to put half pint of cider on expenses

Telegraph

18-07-2025

A Liberal Democrat MP tried to charge taxpayers for a £1.85 half-pint of cider, despite earning a salary of more than £91,000.
Racael Gilmour, who represents Tiverton and Minehead, was also successful in claiming expenses for golf club hospitality and birthday cards.
Ms Gilmour submitted the £11.81 claim in December 2024 for a pub meal, which included chips, a halloumi wrap, a hot drink, and a half-pint of Thatchers Haze cider.
The claim for alcohol was flagged by Parliamentary authorities and rejected.
However, the MP did succeed in claiming £5.50 for 'beverages', £2.75 for hospitality at Tiverton Golf Club, and £5.50 for a birthday card, all of which were reimbursed on expenses.
Ms Gilmour, who previously made headlines after taking an evening fall in Parliament, has drawn criticism from campaigners, who have called for her to pay back the money.
James Wright, a Conservative campaigner, said: 'At a time when families are being squeezed by rising bills, people will rightly ask why a Liberal Democrat MP is attempting to expense cider and claiming drinks at the golf club.
'Like Labour, the Lib Dems are good at spending other people's money. If Rachel Gilmour respected her voters, she'd pay it all back.'
A Labour source said: 'This shows the Lib Dems love a bit of wining and dining, and comes in the same week they joined forces with the Tories in Parliament to oppose Labour's measures to make workers' rights in hospitality more secure.'
It is not known whether any of the approved claims have been voluntarily reimbursed.
Ms Gilmour has previously faced criticism for allegedly swearing at security guards during a visit to Hinkley Poin t, and for employing her son in her taxpayer-funded office.
At the time she referred herself to the parliamentary watchdog saying: 'This was an honest mistake. Henry was assisting me with the setting up of my office in a voluntary capacity.'
At the time of the Hinkley Point incident, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty took to Twitter/X saying: 'Anybody who's seen Rachel Gilmour around the Parliamentary Estate, or in the bar, won't be surprised by reports of this behaviour.'
Legacy of frittering
Ms Gilmour denied the reports of the 'language used' at the time.
MPs are permitted to claim reasonable costs for meals, travel and office administration, but alcohol, personal gifts and leisure expenses are explicitly discouraged.
A spokesperson for Rachel Gilmour said: 'Within the role of a Member of Parliament, there are many expenses which would be considered reasonable to claim for, as per IPSA [Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority] guidelines.
'Rachel Gilmour has accurately logged her expenses with IPSA, and where appropriate those have been paid.
'Conservative Party commentators are in no position to criticise hard-working MPs with their legacy of frittering away taxpayers' money by the Conservative Governments of Johnson and Truss.'
In 2023 some 46,562 beers were consumed at parliamentary bars. It is not clear whether these were pints or bottles.
MPs have access to several bars across the Parliamentary Estate, where drinks are cheaper than nearby central London pubs.