Now senior Tories try to justify their claims
SENIOR Tories yesterday sought to justify their expenses claims as leaked details put them under the spotlight.
Shadow Cabinet members were forced to deny “flipping” – switching the designation of second homes to claim more taxpayers’ cash.
They also had to explain bills for gardening, tennis court repairs and dog food.
Education spokesman Michael Gove threatened legal action over claims he spent £7,000 furnishing a London property in 2006 before switching his second home designation to a Surrey house and claiming £13,000 on stamp duty and moving fees.
He denied any wrongdoing.
Health spokesman Andrew Lansley spent more than £4,000 of taxpayers’ money renovating a Cambridgeshire cottage, which he sold soon after.
He then named a London flat as his second home and claimed thousands for furniture there.
He said London became his second home, in line with rules, when his daughter started nursery in Cambridgeshire.
Universities spokesman David Willetts, nicknamed “Two Brains”, claimed £115 plus VAT to replace 25 lightbulbs.
He said it was more complex than it seemed: “We had problems with our lighting system which had caused many lights to fuse and needed the attention of an electrician.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling claimed thousands on a London flat 17 miles from his constituency home. He said a second home enabled him to meet his parliamentary commitments.
Policy review chief Oliver Letwin said his water company had ordered him to fix a leaking pipe under his tennis court, which cost taxpayers £2,000.
Shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan apologised for claiming £4.47 for dog food, saying it was a mistake and she would repay it.
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne said he took a £440.62 chauffeur-driven journey from Cheshire to London because a constituency function finished after the last train left and he had to be in the capital very early the next day.
