OXFORD East MP Andrew Smith tonight dismissed claims that he was “profiteeering” through his expenses claims as political spin.

Oxfordshire Green Party attacked Mr Smith after the Oxford Mail revealed he claimed £73,869 in expenses for his second home in London over four years, including £8,115 on a kitchen.

Green spokesman David Williams said: “If normal people want to buy a rundown house, do it up and sell it for a profit they need to gamble their own hard-earned cash.

“Mr Smith not only gets his renovation costs paid by the taxpayer but the interest on this mortgage, his council tax, utility bills, buildings insurance and bed linen.

“He should not be profiteering at the taxpayers’ expense.”

Mr Smith, who said he had always tried to claim within the spirit and letter of the rules, said: “The Greens are trying to smear me.

“It’s about time the public saw the receipts for allowances of Green MEPs.”

He added: “There’s an independent inquiry looking at the whole system of allowances and I will of course comply with its findings.”