MP denies furniture expense claim

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A Labour MP has denied using a second home allowance for London to furnish her first home in south Wales.

Bridgend MP Madeleine Moon has been accused in the Daily Telegraph of claiming more than £4,000 in expenses for furniture bought in Wales.

But Ms Moon said the newspaper's allegation was "unfounded".

She said that though the majority of her household goods were bought in Wales they were then transported from her family home to London.

According to the Telegraph, the MP submitted at least 19 receipts for furniture either bought in Wales or delivered to her house there.

Ms Moon confirmed that she bought most of her furniture in 2005, in shops including Crazy Macs and Dunelm Mill in Swansea, Ikea in Cardiff and Currys in Bridgend.

'Value for money'

She defended the decision as "value for money" and one that "would bring money into the Welsh economy".

"These and additional furniture from my family home were transported to London by a local furniture and haulage contractor. The Telegraph has a copy of receipts confirming this," she said.

Ms Moon added: "Before making purchases I have always contacted the Department of Finance and Administration to confirm I was acting within the rules.

"I fully support the publication of all receipts and the operation of clear guidelines for the spending of public money."