MP's £22,000 for second home move

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Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has defended his decision to claim more than £22,000 in expenses when he moved his second home in London.

Mr Lucas claimed nearly £18,000 in fees when he sold a flat in Rotherhithe and moved to a more expensive flat closer to Westminster in 2007.

The MP said he been "scrupulous" and adhered to the rules.

Meanwhile, Clwyd West MP, David Jones, is to publish his expenses on his website as they are made.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Ian Lucas made £45,000 profit when he sold his Rotherhithe flat in 2007 for £250,000.

He had claimed about £1,000 a month in mortgage interest on the second home.

About £6,000 in sale fees were also claimed.

It is right that the rules are now changed, given some of the revelations of recent days Ian Lucas MP

Mr Lucas then went on to claim almost £4,000 in hotel bills between April and July 2007, before buying a flat closer to Westminster for £345,000.

Almost £13,000 in stamp duty and fees incurred during the move were also claimed.

Figures also show he claimed £550 for a bed and extra firm mattress, and £838 on a sofa bed.

In a statement on his website, Mr Lucas said he agreed rules over MP's expenses should be changed.

He said: "I take my responsibilities as an MP extremely seriously.

"I have been scrupulous about both adhering to the rules and ensuring good stewardship of public funds, mindful that it is taxpayers' money.

"It is right that the rules are now changed, given some of the revelations of recent days.

"In my own case, however, I am confident that I have achieved the appropriate balance between seeking the support I need to perform my duties as MP for Wrexham, and responsible use of the allowances available to me."

'Promise'

He said any claims made under the additional costs allowance had been because he needed to maintain a property in London as an MP, and had moved house once in eight years.

He added: "I have claimed £1,388 for furniture for my one bedroom flat in London. This was over a five year period. I regard a bed as an essential item.

"I made clear last week that I was to publish all my expenses and I am going to keep to that promise."

Clwyd West MP David Jones said public confidence in MPs had been "badly shaken" recently.

He said he had set up a link on his website to enable people to view his claims for "personal and office expenditure when made".

He added: "I propose also, in the next few days, to publish particulars of my expenses for the financial year 2008/2009 - well in advance of their official publication by Parliament."

Earlier this week, North Wales Police's chief constable warned he may take action against MPs on his patch if they had wrongly claimed expenses.

Richard Brunstrom said some recent revelations in the Daily Telegraph "warrant criminal investigation" and had "shocked him to the core".