A newly elected Labour MP billed taxpayers for hundreds of pounds’ worth of luxury bedding, it can be revealed.
Sean Woodcock claimed on his Parliamentary expenses for two duvets, a pair of pillows and a set of brushed cotton bed sheets from Marks & Spencer.
He also bought four ‘luxury Egyptian cotton’ towels along with a tube of magnolia shower cream, details obtained by the Mail show.
The 39-year-old submitted two receipts from M&S in an apparent attempt to kit out his second home at the public’s expense last October, one for £100.50 and the other for £116.
But both were rejected by the Commons pay watchdog as ‘not claimable’, as rules introduced in the wake of the MPs’ expenses scandal more than 15 years ago banned any claims for home decorations or furnishings.
Last night Mr Woodcock, who became the first Labour MP for Banbury a year ago, said: ‘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.’
Sean Woodcock, elected Labour MP for Banbury in July 2024, submitted expenses claims for £216 worth of bedding, towels and shower cream from Marks & Spencer
Rules for what MPs can claim on their Parliamentary expenses were tightened in the wake of the 2009 scandal, with no furniture or goods for second homes allowed any more
Staff working for another newly elected Labour MP submitted an expenses claim for £46 worth of flowers, receipts obtained from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) under the Freedom of Information Act show.
The claim from the Lily Pad Florist was made under Dr Simon Opher’s name last October but his office insisted he knew nothing about it.
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.’
Other rejected expenses include a claim submitted by Labour MP Gill Furniss for £210 worth of Ikea furniture, comprising a ‘gaming desk’ and an office chair, so a member of her team could work from home.
Her office said: ‘IPSA informed us that this claim could not be covered by the scheme and rejected it. The claim was not re-submitted.’
And Labour’s Luke Myer put in a claim for a three-door wardrobe from Ikea, costing £155, but this too was rejected.
His spokesman said he wanted a wardrobe with shelves to store stationery in his Westminster room, but that IPSA only allows furniture claims for constituency offices.
‘The wardrobes are designed with shelves inside that were ordered for office storage/filing as well as clothes storage. Luke is proud not to have a second home in London, instead he stores the clothes he needs for Parliament, in Parliament, and stays in hotels, saving thousands for the taxpayer.’
A member of staff working for Labour’s Simon Opher submitted a £46 claim for flowers
Labour MP Luke Myer put in a claim for a £155 wardrobe from Ikea to keep office supplies in
Others had claims rejected for professional services.
Chris Webb, who won Blackpool South for Labour in a by-election last May, submitted a receipt for five days’ use of a ‘videographer’ at a total cost of £2,100.
He said: ‘The claim was submitted in good faith as part of efforts to establish my office and communicate effectively with constituents – an important part of my ongoing work.
‘The videography was carried out by a local provider, supporting small business and local talent within the constituency. I understood IPSA’s assessment and fully complied with their decision.’
And Anna Turley, who was re-elected as Labour’s MP for Redcar a year ago, put in a £500 claim for ‘Parliamentary speech drafting, editing and research’.
She said: ‘This claim was made for non-political speech writing support from a professional speechwriter.
‘It was declined by IPSA because they said the speech was political. Although the speech I made was political, the draft content that was provided was not.
‘I did not resubmit it and nor was it paid. I accepted the decision even though I did not agree with it.’
A Lib Dem MP meanwhile tried to get a slap-up Christmas meal paid for by taxpayers.
Lee Dillon submitted a £204.95 receipt for a ‘festive team meal’ at one of Parliament’s restaurants, including steak and scallops as well as Christmas pudding and lemon tart.
His spokesman 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.’
Liberal Democrat MP Lee Dillon (right) who claimed on his expenses for a Christmas meal with staff, playing tennis with party leader Sir Ed Davey during last year’s election campaign
And an SNP politician tried to get reimbursed for an expensive course for one of his staffers months after he lost his seat at the election.
Steven Bonnar submitted the £5,160 claim for a ‘professional certificate in government and policy’ on September 12th last year, more than two months after he was defeated in Coatbridge and Bellshill.
Mr Bonnar – who was previously criticised for claiming £45 for a memorial wreath on his expenses – said: ‘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.’
Last night John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘It will come as no surprise to taxpayers that some MPs are happy to reach into the pockets of their own constituents to pay for their luxuries and indulgences.
‘The way politicians endlessly demand more cash for their pet projects or local area, with no regard for value for money or how it will be raised, clearly shows that many are motivated merely by self-interest rather than the national interest.
‘IPSA should name and shame such egregious examples of expense claims.’
IPSA insisted: ‘Compliance with our rules is very high. We carry out checks, analysis and audits of funding requests to provide transparency for the public.
‘In the cases where an error has been made or a request for funding is outside our rules, we either seek repayment or refuse funding.’
On Thursday the watchdog launched an investigation into whether former Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson ‘breached spending rules’ on accommodation, office costs and staffing costs.
