OXFORDSHIRE MPs face fresh scrutiny over their expenses claims after the findings of an independent audit was released.
Former civil servant Sir Thomas Legg has written to all 645 MPs following his inquiry into allowances during the past five years Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron yesterday agreed to supply information regarding £218.91 in mortgage over-claims, which were blamed on “an inadvertent administrative error” arising from changes to his home loan arrangements. He repaid the sum in June.
Earlier this year, Mr Cameron also volunteered to pay back £947.29, including £680 spent clearing wisteria from a chimney at his second home in Dean, west Oxfordshire.
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith was urged by Sir Thomas to pay back a £280.72 shortfall in a mortgage allowance repayment.
He claimed he acted on advice he was given by the Commons authorities for the financial year 2005-06.
Mr Smith said: “I have always done my best to keep within the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.
“I have to check some papers because it isn’t clear how they came to this figure, but if it is indeed the case this money is owing, I shall of course pay it.”
Sir Thomas made three requests of Wantage and Didcot MP, Ed Vaizey. His report highlighted a £790 claim for a dining table, which should have been a maximum of £660.
Mr Vaizey repaid £2,000 in May after admitting furniture he bought was of “higher quality than necessary”.
Sir Thomas also asked for repayment of £136 from an overpayment of one month’s council tax, which was again paid back in May, and a statement of mortgage interest for the financial year 2008/09.
Mr Vaizey said: “I voluntarily repaid in May far more than Sir Thomas has requested.
“My second home claims have always been among the lowest in Oxfordshire apart from one year.”
Dr Evan Harris, the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, was asked for “clarification on several points”, which he is reviewing.
He said: “As I have never claimed for gardening and only modest cleaning bills for my small one bedroom Westminster flat I am not caught by the new limits on such claims. However, I am perfectly happy to supply the information to Sir Thomas.”
Banbury MP Tony Baldry was asked to send in copies of mortgage statements.
He said: “I shall get these dug out and let Sir Thomas have them, as soon as possible.”
Henley MP John Howell was not asked to pay anything back.
He was elected in June 2008 after former MP Boris Johnson became Mayor of London.
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