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MP denies £20K bell tower claim MP denies £20K bell tower claim
(30 minutes later)
Defence minister Quentin Davies has denied trying to claim on expenses the £20,700 cost of rebuilding a bell tower at his constituency home.Defence minister Quentin Davies has denied trying to claim on expenses the £20,700 cost of rebuilding a bell tower at his constituency home.
Mr Davies, who defected from the Tories to Labour in 2007, was paid £5,376 by the Commons fees office.Mr Davies, who defected from the Tories to Labour in 2007, was paid £5,376 by the Commons fees office.
He later wrote to the fees office to say he "emphatically" denied trying to claim for the bell tower repairs.He later wrote to the fees office to say he "emphatically" denied trying to claim for the bell tower repairs.
It comes as the Commons releases fresh expenses details including claims for a hamburger maker and garlic peelers.It comes as the Commons releases fresh expenses details including claims for a hamburger maker and garlic peelers.
In a letter to the fees office, dated 2 February this year, Mr Davies explains that he has submitted an "an exceptional and very high (though very essential) repair bill which takes my claim to more than the annual limit".In a letter to the fees office, dated 2 February this year, Mr Davies explains that he has submitted an "an exceptional and very high (though very essential) repair bill which takes my claim to more than the annual limit".
The Grantham and Stamford MP asks the fees office to calculate the portion of the bill that fits within his allowance limit.The Grantham and Stamford MP asks the fees office to calculate the portion of the bill that fits within his allowance limit.
Kitchen itemsKitchen items
Three months later, at the height of the MP expenses scandal, Mr Davies wrote again to the fees to stress that he had only been paid a "portion" of the cost of repairs to his roof - £5,380.Three months later, at the height of the MP expenses scandal, Mr Davies wrote again to the fees to stress that he had only been paid a "portion" of the cost of repairs to his roof - £5,380.
The letter adds: "The actual invoice I received from my builder, and which I submitted with my claim covered this roofing repair together with another quite separate job (to the bell tower) for which I was emphatically was not seeking any reimbursement."The letter adds: "The actual invoice I received from my builder, and which I submitted with my claim covered this roofing repair together with another quite separate job (to the bell tower) for which I was emphatically was not seeking any reimbursement."
However, an invoice for £20,7000 for "bell tower and lead gutter," released with MP expenses details, has a handwritten note, dated 12 December 2008, which reads "Paid by cheque"However, an invoice for £20,7000 for "bell tower and lead gutter," released with MP expenses details, has a handwritten note, dated 12 December 2008, which reads "Paid by cheque"
The BBC has not been able to contact Mr Davies for a response.The BBC has not been able to contact Mr Davies for a response.
Labour MP Phil Hope claimed the £2 hamburger maker amongst kitchen items, while Tory MP James Arbuthnot claimed £43.56 for three "four piece garlic peelers" from shopping channel QVC.Labour MP Phil Hope claimed the £2 hamburger maker amongst kitchen items, while Tory MP James Arbuthnot claimed £43.56 for three "four piece garlic peelers" from shopping channel QVC.
The hundreds of thousands of receipts cover April 2008 to July 2009.The hundreds of thousands of receipts cover April 2008 to July 2009.
The claims made under the controversial second homes allowance have been published by the House of Commons but have not been as heavily blacked out as the previous years' receipts published in June.The claims made under the controversial second homes allowance have been published by the House of Commons but have not been as heavily blacked out as the previous years' receipts published in June.
The receipts show ex-home secretary Jacqui Smith claimed a £555 TV, while moat claim MP Douglas Hogg claimed for a £20 toaster and £2.99 rubbish bags.The receipts show ex-home secretary Jacqui Smith claimed a £555 TV, while moat claim MP Douglas Hogg claimed for a £20 toaster and £2.99 rubbish bags.
WHERE TO FIND THE DOCUMENTS The documents are published on Parliament's website Each MP's expenses dating back to 2004 are gathered together by nameThe new documents are headed "Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure 2009-2010" and "Additional Cost Allowance 2008-09" Guide to the new documentsWHERE TO FIND THE DOCUMENTS The documents are published on Parliament's website Each MP's expenses dating back to 2004 are gathered together by nameThe new documents are headed "Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure 2009-2010" and "Additional Cost Allowance 2008-09" Guide to the new documents
Mr Hogg, along with Labour MP Keith Vaz, is also among the list of MPs who changed the designation of their second home for allowance purposes.Mr Hogg, along with Labour MP Keith Vaz, is also among the list of MPs who changed the designation of their second home for allowance purposes.
Simply changing second home designation breaks no rules, and the MPs have not yet had a chance to comment.Simply changing second home designation breaks no rules, and the MPs have not yet had a chance to comment.
Sir Peter Viggers, whose duck house claim was one of the most notable revelations of the earlier expenses publications, claimed £115 to pay a firm who are "specialists in bird proofing/cleaning".Sir Peter Viggers, whose duck house claim was one of the most notable revelations of the earlier expenses publications, claimed £115 to pay a firm who are "specialists in bird proofing/cleaning".
Sir Peter, who is stepping down at the election, had a claim for £10,526 knocked down to £299.16 with the explanation "spoken to Sir Peter, not appropriate to claim interest on increased borrowing taken to free equity of house. Agreed to reimburse interest equivalent to borrowing".Sir Peter, who is stepping down at the election, had a claim for £10,526 knocked down to £299.16 with the explanation "spoken to Sir Peter, not appropriate to claim interest on increased borrowing taken to free equity of house. Agreed to reimburse interest equivalent to borrowing".
He also claimed £699.75 for manufacture and supply of box shutters for a window.He also claimed £699.75 for manufacture and supply of box shutters for a window.
Sir Peter told the BBC: "I have always consulted the fees office and taken their advice."Sir Peter told the BBC: "I have always consulted the fees office and taken their advice."
Other receipts include a number of council tax reminders - including to Foreign Secretary David Miliband for £64.44.Other receipts include a number of council tax reminders - including to Foreign Secretary David Miliband for £64.44.
Commons Speaker John Bercow claimed £22,465.49 in second home allowances in 2008-9 for mortgage interest, council tax, gas, electricity and cleaning.Commons Speaker John Bercow claimed £22,465.49 in second home allowances in 2008-9 for mortgage interest, council tax, gas, electricity and cleaning.
Second homeSecond home
There is just one claim from him for the first quarter of 2009-10 which is £500 for utilities.There is just one claim from him for the first quarter of 2009-10 which is £500 for utilities.
Mr Bercow said he would no longer claim the allowance once he was elected Speaker - a job which comes with a grand apartment in Parliament - in June.Mr Bercow said he would no longer claim the allowance once he was elected Speaker - a job which comes with a grand apartment in Parliament - in June.
Other details revealed include Prime Minister Gordon Brown claiming £500 for the repainting of a "summer house" in his garden. Downing Street said the PM has already repaid the money.Other details revealed include Prime Minister Gordon Brown claiming £500 for the repainting of a "summer house" in his garden. Downing Street said the PM has already repaid the money.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "Nobody asked me to pay. I did it myself"
Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £20,240.15 in 2008/09 and £3,066.91 for the period covered in 2009/10.Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £20,240.15 in 2008/09 and £3,066.91 for the period covered in 2009/10.
There is also a note from a gardener to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.There is also a note from a gardener to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.
"My plan of attack this year will start with weeding the front garden and big bush which is overgrown. I will have to poison the big holly or it just keeps coming," the note says."My plan of attack this year will start with weeding the front garden and big bush which is overgrown. I will have to poison the big holly or it just keeps coming," the note says.
Mr Clegg claimed £760 for the repair of a garden path but has said he would pay back any profit he makes on his constituency home when he sells it.Mr Clegg claimed £760 for the repair of a garden path but has said he would pay back any profit he makes on his constituency home when he sells it.
Poole MP Robert Syms had £359 for a bunk bed rejected with the explanation "living costs for any one other than yourself are not permitted".Poole MP Robert Syms had £359 for a bunk bed rejected with the explanation "living costs for any one other than yourself are not permitted".
Second home rulesSecond home rules
The period covered by the latest receipts came at a time when MPs knew that at least some details of their expenses claims were to be published under Freedom of Information rules.The period covered by the latest receipts came at a time when MPs knew that at least some details of their expenses claims were to be published under Freedom of Information rules.
But the vast majority of them predate the uproar over expenses prompted by the leaked details of claims since 2004 published by the Daily Telegraph in May.But the vast majority of them predate the uproar over expenses prompted by the leaked details of claims since 2004 published by the Daily Telegraph in May.
Those revelations led to a host of MPs announcing they would stand down and a revamp of the entire expenses system being drawn up by Sir Christopher Kelly.Those revelations led to a host of MPs announcing they would stand down and a revamp of the entire expenses system being drawn up by Sir Christopher Kelly.
There was also an audit of all claims since 2004 carried out by Sir Thomas Legg, which is in the process of deciding how much MPs should pay back from the money claimed.There was also an audit of all claims since 2004 carried out by Sir Thomas Legg, which is in the process of deciding how much MPs should pay back from the money claimed.
Hundreds of MPs, including the three main UK party leaders, have already agreed to repay sums totalling thousands of pounds from the claims since 2004.Hundreds of MPs, including the three main UK party leaders, have already agreed to repay sums totalling thousands of pounds from the claims since 2004.
MPs from outside of central London were entitled to claim up to £24,006 in 2008/9 for the cost of having a second home - for things like mortgages interest payments and utility bills, but also for things like a second set of cutlery or televisions and furniture.MPs from outside of central London were entitled to claim up to £24,006 in 2008/9 for the cost of having a second home - for things like mortgages interest payments and utility bills, but also for things like a second set of cutlery or televisions and furniture.
A second home was deemed necessary because MPs have to attend Parliament at Westminster but also live in, or have a base in, their constituency.A second home was deemed necessary because MPs have to attend Parliament at Westminster but also live in, or have a base in, their constituency.
All MPs had to sign a declaration with every claim to the effect that "I confirm that I incurred these costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily to enable me to stay overnight away from my only or main home for the purpose of performing my duties as a Member of Parliament".All MPs had to sign a declaration with every claim to the effect that "I confirm that I incurred these costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily to enable me to stay overnight away from my only or main home for the purpose of performing my duties as a Member of Parliament".


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