BEXLEY: Mattress and toilet seats expenses claim by MP Derek Conway (From News Shopper)

BEXLEY: Mattress and toilet seats expenses claim by MP Derek Conway

10:39am Thursday 17th December 2009

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A KING-SIZE mattress from John Lewis, a fridge freezer and even vacuum cleaner bags are among the items two of Bexley’s MPs have charged to taxpayers as part of their expenses.

Both John Austin, who represents Erith and Thamesmead, and Derek Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, have claimed second home allowances despite living around 30 minutes from the Palace of Westminster.

In May this year, Mr Conway changed the designation of his second home, which had been his mansion block flat in Victoria, and said he would no longer be claiming an additional costs allowance.

His other home is now in Morpeth in Northumberland, where he claims to have his office.

In 2009/10 as part of his second homes allowance, Mr Conway claimed for a new king-size mattress which cost £1,075 as well as £1,273 worth of bathroom goods from Peter Jones, including two limed oak toilet seats and a £250 bathroom shelf.

He also had work done to his flat which included a £1,630 plumbing bill and an electrician’s bill totalling more than £800.

Mr Conway claimed £433 in materials from a decorator’s merchant.

This was in addition to his mortgage interest payments of £459 a month and monthly council tax payments to Westminster Council of £115.

Taxpayers also paid his service charges as well as water, electricity and gas.

Altogether for April and May this year, the most up-to-date claims available, Mr Conway claimed an expenses total of £7,662 including £39 for vacuum cleaner bags.

In 2008/09, he claimed a yearly bill of £23,994.

This include several monthly claims of £400 for food, £1,720 for repairs to his shower room and living room and £1,450 on buying and laying new carpets.

Sir Thomas Legg, the man in charge of the investigation into MPs’ expenses, has said Mr Conway’s and Mr Austin’s are in order and neither have been asked to pay back any money.

Mr Austin claimed £5,697 between April and June this year on his second home in Rotherhithe, for mortgage interest, council tax, insurance and utility bills.

Last year he claimed £21,395.

These included buying a new fridge freezer, TV and digibox.

There was also a claim for £1,112 for new dining room furniture, including an oak extending table with six leather chairs, a sideboard and an oak coffee table as well as £226 on kitchen utensils and bedding.

In 2007/08, Mr Austin claimed £4,700 to renovate and refit his bathroom.

He also claimed for service charges on the property which totalled £4,067 every six months.

Both MPs are standing down at the next election.

Bexley’s third MP, David Evennett, who represents Bexleyheath and Crayford, does not claim a second home allowance.

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