MP's wallpaper claim 'was in spirit of rules'

May 28 2009 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Mail

THE Birmingham MP who claimed more than £1,000 in expenses for wallpaper today insisted she had obeyed the “spirit and the letter” of the rules.

Lynne Jones (Lab, Selly Oak) spent £1,100 on wallpaper for her London flat, which was subsidised by taxpayers.

She also spent £6,100 on refurbishing her bathroom and £815 on radiators.

The Birmingham Mail told last week how Dr Jones tried to claim for two Persian rugs, at a total cost of £1,300, but was told she could have just £600.

The MP said her claims were simply designed to ensure her second home in London was of roughly the same standard as her main home in Birmingham.

She said: “I have tried to submit claims that are in both the spirit and letter of the ‘rules’ as I understood them, using the benchmark that, in order to carry out my parliamentary duties, it was reasonable for me to expect that the home I live in, in London would be of a similar standard of comfort as my family home.

“I have claimed for items that I consider to be of good quality rather than luxurious. I have an estimate for decorating work that is considerably in excess of that which I claimed.

“I then sought another quote which made considerable savings.”

Dr Jones announced in 2007 that she will stand down at the next election.