MP Andrew Smith last night rejected suggestions he used his parliamentary second home allowance to renovate his main house in Oxford.

The Oxford East MP nominated an address in Kennington, south London, as his second home for his parliamentary expense claims.

But yesterday it emerged his main address in Flaxfield Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, appeared on invoices and delivery receipts for plumbing work and items including a toilet and washbasin for the London home.

He also bought many claimed-for items at Oxford shops.

Under Commons rules, Mr Smith could only use the additional costs allowance (ACA) on his second home in Kennington.

Mr Smith told the Oxford Mail none of these items had been delivered to, or installed at, his Oxford address.

He said: “The Oxford plumber who did the work collected the items from Johnsons Buildbase in Cowley and took them to London where he did the installation.

“At no point during the period April 2004 to date have I claimed on the second homes allowance for any work or items for my main home in Blackbird Leys.”

He said he chose an Oxford plumber and local suppliers because he knew he could trust them.

He added: “The plumber’s invoice would have been sent to my Oxford address because that’s the address the local firm I use have on their system, and it’s where I do day-to-day things like pay bills and where I’m listed for credit cards. I bought items in Oxford because it’s where I know the shops and suppliers.

“The Sunday Telegraph asked me about this in an email exchange, and I told them the detail of what happened but they have chosen not to report all of that.

“It’s plain common sense if you’re having work done to choose a plumber you know will do a proper job. I’m not going to apologise for using a reputable Oxford plumber, nor for buying materials from suppliers in Oxford.

“I think it’s right that all MPs are being scrutinised on expenses, and I took the initiative in publishing my second-home allowance and talking to the Oxford Mail about it.”

Roy Barrett, the Marston-based plumber mentioned in the story, said: “That’s the case. It was all installed in London. We did pick it up from a local firm because that’s the kind of man he is, he’s a local man. I’ve worked for him for 30 years and everything we did on expenses was done in London.”

The Daily Telegraph obtain-ed a leaked copy of all MPs’ expenses ahead of their planned release under the Freedom of Information Act in July.

Mr Smith released his second home claims to the Oxford Mail last week following mounting criticism over what MPs had been claiming for. In four years he claimed £73,869.65.

Mr Smith added: “As usual I was out on the doorstep this morning talking with constituents. I was in Templars Square yesterday for the Oxford in Bloom launch, and I will be calling round the constituency all next week as Parliament is in recess.

“Talking with local people, answering their questions, and taking up their ideas for reform is the best way forward.”

l Witney MP David Cameron yesterday laughed off suggestions he and his wife are sitting on a £30m fortune as he defended his expenses claims.

Challenged again by Andrew Marr on BBC1 yesterday, Mr Cameron laughed and said: “It’s simply not true.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk