Tony and Cherie Blair almost had the water cut off at their constituency home over an unpaid bill, documents released by the Commons show.
Tony and Cherie Blair were nearly in hot water over an unpaid bill at their constituency home, expenses documents released by the Commons show.
The Blairs received a reminder notice from Northumbrian Water in November 2005 for an unpaid water bill of £147.
The Blairs received a reminder notice from Northumbrian Water in November 2005 for an unpaid water bill of £147.
The notice stated: "We appreciate that you may be experiencing some financial difficulties."
"Your account may be transferred to a debt recovery agency. We appreciate that you may be experiencing some financial difficulties," the note said.
A detailed breakdown of expenses claimed by 14 politicians has been released after a three year FOI battle.
Details of expenses claimed by 14 MPs have been released after an FOI battle.
The claims and receipts, which run to more than 400 pages, were handed out earlier by the Commons authorities.
The claims and receipts, which run to more than 400 pages, were handed out earlier by the Commons authorities.
They include money spent by senior politicians on running their second homes - including more than £10,000 for a new kitchen claimed by Mr Blair.
They include money spent by senior politicians on running their second homes - including more than £10,000 for a new kitchen claimed by Mr Blair.
Details in two separate receipts from 2003 show the then prime minister Mr Blair spent more than £10,000 on refurbishing the kitchen at Myrobella - his constituency home in County Durham.
Details in two separate receipts from 2003 show the then prime minister Mr Blair spent more than £10,000 on refurbishing the kitchen at Myrobella - his constituency home in County Durham.
'Adverse coverage'
'Adverse coverage'
Items included tiling and £1,000 on fitting a mantel shelf to the Aga oven.
Items included tiling and £1,000 on fitting a mantel shelf to the Aga oven.
The documents also include several of Mr Blair's gas bills from the same period - and a letter from Lloyds bank about the Blair's interest-only £297,000 mortgage on Myrobella.
The documents also include several of Mr Blair's gas bills from the same period - and a letter from Lloyds bank about the Blair's interest-only £297,000 mortgage on Myrobella.
The documents also include a note about John Prescott querying his entitlements at his grace-and-favour Admiralty House residence, after "adverse press coverage" in 2005.
The documents also include a note about John Prescott querying his entitlements at his grace-and-favour Admiralty House residence, after "adverse press coverage" in 2005.
The MPs spent a lot of money on repairing their constituency homes - one invoice from 2005 shows Gordon Brown spent £4,471 on renovating his kitchen.
The MPs spent a lot of money on repairing their constituency homes - one invoice from 2005 shows Gordon Brown spent £4,471 on renovating his kitchen.
Peter Mandelson, at the time MP for Hartlepool, spent £2,981 on repairs to his constituency home a receipt from 2003 shows. Receipts also show he spent £100 a month on newspapers and £75 a month on gardening.
Peter Mandelson, at the time MP for Hartlepool, spent £2,981 on repairs to his constituency home a receipt from 2003 shows. Receipts also show he spent £100 a month on newspapers and £75 a month on gardening.
Between 2001 and 2003, Margaret Beckett spent £12,170.67 on repairs.
Between 2001 and 2003, Margaret Beckett spent £12,170.67 on repairs.
But in February 2006 she had her claim for gardening expenses partially rejected - £600 for plants and pergola disallowed.
But in February 2006 she had her claim for gardening expenses partially rejected - £600 for plants and pergola disallowed.
MPs' expenses are published every year under nine main headings - including the additional costs allowance (ACA) to cover the costs of running a second home.
MPs' expenses are published every year under nine main headings - including the additional costs allowance (ACA) to cover the costs of running a second home.
'Unsatisfactory'
'Unsatisfactory'
But for most only the total claimed is published, rather than a detailed breakdown showing what items had been claimed for.
But for most only the total claimed is published, rather than a detailed breakdown showing what items had been claimed for.
Freedom of Information campaigners argued that the limited nature of checks on claims, many of which did not require a receipt, meant the system was open to abuse and an Information Tribunal agreed it was "deeply unsatisfactory".
Freedom of Information campaigners argued that the limited nature of checks on claims, many of which did not require a receipt, meant the system was open to abuse and an Information Tribunal agreed it was "deeply unsatisfactory".
Last week the High Court backed the tribunal's ruling that details should be published and on Monday the Commons gave up its legal fight.
Last week the High Court backed the tribunal's ruling that details should be published and on Monday the Commons gave up its legal fight.
The claims at issue were made by 14 prominent politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell.
The claims at issue were made by 14 prominent politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell.
A detailed breakdown of the expenses of all MPs dating back to 2004 - likely to run to more than a million items - is due to be released in the autumn and in future the information will be released on a quarterly basis.
A detailed breakdown of the expenses of all MPs dating back to 2004 - likely to run to more than a million items - is due to be released in the autumn and in future the information will be released on a quarterly basis.
The MPs' home addresses will be published unless there is a specific concern about individual security.
The MPs' home addresses will be published unless there is a specific concern about individual security.
'Barking mad'
'Barking mad'
Some MPs are angry that their home addresses will be published.
Some MPs are angry that their home addresses will be published.
Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has tabled a motion calling for a breakdown of the expenses of, and home addresses of, High Court judges.
Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has tabled a motion calling for a breakdown of the expenses of, and home addresses of, High Court judges.
Conservative MP Julian Lewis backed Mr Russell's move in the Commons on Thursday, branding the release of MPs' addresses "barking mad" and claiming it opened them up to hate mail and attacks by "extremists".
Conservative MP Julian Lewis backed Mr Russell's move in the Commons on Thursday, branding the release of MPs' addresses "barking mad" and claiming it opened them up to hate mail and attacks by "extremists".
MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year to spend on costs incurred while staying away from their main home - including televisions, rent or mortgage payments and, without providing a receipt, up to £400 a month for food.
MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year to spend on costs incurred while staying away from their main home - including televisions, rent or mortgage payments and, without providing a receipt, up to £400 a month for food.
The Commons is conducting its own inquiry into MPs' pay and expenses.
The Commons is conducting its own inquiry into MPs' pay and expenses.
What do you make of the expenses details that have been published? Are you surprised by them? Do you think this information should have been made public? Send us your comments using the form below:
What do you make of the expenses details that have been published? Are you surprised by them? Do you think this information should have been made public? Send us your comments using the form below:
