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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
James Cleverly billed taxpayers £20k for his website and comms consultants
His average monthly claim for his website was more than £400 a month - with the average among MPs just £67 Tory James Cleverly charged taxpayers £20,000 updating his website and hiring people to advise him on 'digital communications', documents have revealed. The former leadership contender, whom Kemi Badenoch named her Shadow Housing Secretary last month, claimed £7,000 on expenses for 'Digital Communications Constituency Services' in March (2025), according to watchdog IPSA. The same month he claimed a further £5,400 for 'Comprehensive constituency communications and videography services.' But unusually, IPSA's records don't say who the payments were made to. It comes after Kemi Badenoch admitted she'd snitched on a child at school and had them expelled Meanwhile, Mr Cleverly claimed a further £4,404 for 'website hosting and design' for his website between May 2024 and March 2025 - more than £400 a month. During the same period the average spend per month for MPs who claimed back the cost of their websites was £67. Again, the records don't say who the money was paid to. Mr Cleverly did not respond to requests for comment. Kemi Badenoch brought Sir James, her former cabinet colleague during Rishi Sunak's administration, back into the fold in a reshuffle last month. Sir James stood as a candidate in last year's Conservative leadership election, but lost out on the Tory top job ahead of the final heat between Mrs Badenoch and her now-shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick. Since the leadership contest, he has returned to the Tory back benches as the MP for Braintree. In 2023 The Mirror reported the former Cabinet minister joked about giving his wife a date-rape drug, just hours after announcing a crackdown on the growing epidemic of drinks spiking. The top Tory told female guests at a No10 reception that 'a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night' was 'not really illegal if it's only a little bit'. A spokesman for the ex-Home Secretary said at the time: "In what was always understood as a private conversation, James, the Home Secretary tackling spiking, made what was clearly meant to be an ironic joke - for which he apologises."
The Herald Scotland
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
What MSPs tried to expense – and why Parliament said no
However, the identities of the MSPs involved and the amount they attempted to claim have not been revealed. Parliament officials said as this information was not required under their financial procedures, it was not held and therefore not releasable under FOI. READ MORE Rejected claims included several travel expenses related to party-political activity — including an interview with STV and party spokesperson events. One Scottish Government minister also attempted to claim travel expenses for attending a ministerial event, even though Holyrood expenses can only be claimed for duties carried out in Parliament or for assisting constituents. Other unsuccessful claims included a subscription X, which the Holyrood authorities said was "political." Bids to reclaim the cost of a party newsletter, and festive greeting cards were also turned down. Politicians had to pick up their own food and drink bills too, with MSPs turned down for reimbursement for tea and coffee, and lunch at a 'team day.' Meanwhile, one MSP was knocked back in their attempt to claim for the cost of picture frames so they could display motions for constituents. Another failed to have the cost of garden plant canes reimbursed on the basis there was no provision for it in the scheme. A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: 'MSPs are reimbursed for costs incurred in carrying out their parliamentary duties. Party political-related costs and sundry items such as Christmas cards are not, however, covered by the scheme.' Last year it emerged that the amount claimed in expenses by MSPs had soared by nearly £2 million in a year. Figures released by the Scottish Parliament show expenses for the 2023/24 financial year reached £25.35 million, up by £1.89 million — 8% — on 2022/23. Some £20.6 million (81%) of the money was used to cover staff costs at MSPs' parliamentary and constituency offices. The rest was used on the costs of running an office, travel and accommodation, among other things. The party leaders' allowance ballooned by 63% to £46,012 – up from £28,220 the year before. It is the second consecutive year the figure has nearly doubled. In 2021/22, the leaders' allowance was just £11,510, although it was £38,778 in 2020/21 and £36,873 in 2019/20. Earlier this month, the *Daily Mail* revealed a string of similar rejections at Westminster, with claims for luxury homewares, meals and even flowers knocked back. Unlike in Holyrood, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) revealed names and costs. Labour MP Sean Woodcock attempted to claim £216 for duvets, Egyptian cotton towels and shower cream from Marks & Spencer, but was told the expenses watchdog does not permit furnishings or home goods. Another Labour MP, Dr Simon Opher, had a £46 claim for flowers rejected, while Gill Furniss submitted £210 for a gaming desk and office chair — also refused. Luke Myer tried to claim £155 for a three-door wardrobe to store stationery, but was told IPSA rules only allow furniture for constituency offices. Chris Webb, who won a by-election in Blackpool South last year, submitted a £2,100 claim for videography services, and Anna Turley sought £500 for speechwriting support — both rejected. LibDem MP Lee Dillon was turned down after trying to charge £204.95 for a Christmas meal for his team, including steak, scallops and pudding. Former SNP MP Steven Bonnar sought £5,160 for a staff training course more than two months after losing his seat — a claim also rejected. He told the paper: 'As you'd expect, I was keen that my staff got whatever support they could during the post-election period prior to the closure of my office and the end of their employment. In this one instance, a request was turned down, which I have no issue with.'
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Banbury MP Sean Woodcock claimed 'luxury' bedding on expenses
An MP tried to claim hundreds of pounds worth of luxury bedding and shower cream on parliamentary Woodcock, who was elected MP for Banbury last year, spent £216.50 on two duvets, a pair of pillows, and a set of brushed cotton bed sheets, as well as four "luxury Egyptian cotton" towels and a tube of magnolia shower separate receipts from Marks and Spencer, one for £100.50 and the other for £116, were claimed on parliamentary expenses last Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) rejected his claim, and Mr Woodcock has since said he was mistakenly advised on what items he could claim on. According to IPSA, MPs are not allowed to claim home furnishings or decorations on a statement Mr Woodcock said: "As a newly-elected MP I was mistakenly advised about what type of accommodation costs could be claimed for."I accepted IPSA's decision immediately and paid for these items myself in full."IPSA was set up in the aftermath of the 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal, and is an independent body responsible for paying MP salaries and reviewing outside London can spend a maximum of £6,630 on the associated costs of includes utility bills, council tax, a landline and broadband connection, but does not include cleaning, gardening, the purchase of or maintenance of furniture, or TV Woodcock was elected as the first Labour MP for Banbury in its history. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour MP tried to claim bedding and shower cream on expenses
A Labour MP tried to claim luxury bedding and shower cream on expenses, it has emerged. Sean Woodcock, the MP for Banbury, attempted to bill taxpayers more than £200 for duvets, pillows, bedsheets and other household items from Marks & Spencer last year. The Daily Mail reported that he bought four 'luxury Egyptian cotton' towels along with a tube of magnolia shower cream, which he claimed on parliamentary expenses. The expenses watchdog, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) rejected the two receipts, worth £100.50 and £116, as 'not claimable'. Rules introduced after the MPs' expenses scandal more than a decade ago banned parliamentarians from claiming home decorations or furnishings. 'Mistakenly avised' over accommodation expenses Mr Woodcock told the Daily Mail: 'As a newly elected MP I was mistakenly advised by a colleague about what type of accommodation costs could be claimed for. I accepted IPSA's decision immediately and paid for these items myself in full.' He had submitted two receipts last October, one for £100.50 and the other for £116, seemingly for furnishing his second home. The items included duvets, two pillows and a set of brushed cotton bedsheets. The Daily Mail also revealed that Lee Dillon, a Liberal Democrat MP, tried without success to bill taxpayers for a 'festive team meal' for Christmas last year. The MP for Newbury submitted a receipt for £204.95 from one of the Parliament restaurants, having bought dishes including steaks and scallops. A spokesman for the MP said: 'Lee accepted IPSA's decision in this case. He did not resubmit the claim and paid for the meal himself. He plans to do the same in future years.' 'Mistake' claim for flowers Another unsuccessful claim saw a new Labour MP's office attempt to bill taxpayers for £46 of flowers. Staff working for Dr Simon Opher, the Labour MP for Stroud, submitted a receipt from Lily Pad Florist last October, but a spokesman said that Dr Opher was unaware of the claim. A spokesman said: 'Simon didn't know about the initial claim, and the office did not question the subsequent rejection by IPSA because we realised the mistake. We obviously did not re-submit the claim.' It comes after the Government became engulfed in a row last year over the acceptance of free hospitality and clothing. Ministers are allowed to take handouts as long as they are properly declared, although they are urged to take public perception into account. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, came under fire for accepting tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert, which she declared in accordance with the rules.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
New expenses scandal after ‘penny-pinching' Lib Dem MP makes YOU pick up £154 bill for her Christmas party
AN MP has sparked a fresh expenses scandal after making taxpayers pick up the bill for her Christmas party. Lib Dem Sarah Gibson took her team out to a restaurant for the festive dinner — before submitting an invoice for £154. It was approved and paid by the expenses watchdog IPSA, but appears to be in breach of the rules, the Taxpayers' Alliance revealed. Head of campaigns Elliot Keck said: 'Taxpayers are sick of these penny-pinching politicians tapping them up for a cost they should be bearing themselves. 'This MP in particular gets access to a second home with bills and council tax all covered, yet she can't even pick up the tab for a meal to thank her staff.' Ms Gibson, 59, who represents Chippenham, Wilts, said: 'As a small business owner for many years I have been used to taking my staff for a Christmas meal to thank them for their hard work. 'Though this claim for a modest meal for my team, who were all in London for work purposes, was permitted by IPSA I do accept in retrospect that as an MP the situation is different.' The expense claim read: 'Team Christmas dinner to say thank you for everyone's hard work since July, removing alcohol and service charge.' IPSA rules state hospitality costs for a team meal out at a pub or restaurant are not claimable. MPs can claim the costs of food and refreshments for an office festive gathering — allowed as hospitality. But 'any event or gathering must be explicitly within a parliamentary and work context'. It comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed Labour MP Taiwo Owatemi claimed expenses for 'pet rent' for her cockapoo in London. Nigel Farage's 'fantasy' promises will trigger Truss-style meltdown, Keir Starmer slams Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club. 2
