Expenses Claims
The Daily Telegraph's revelation of expenses claims by Members of Parliament showed that Burnham requested the Commons Fees Office for the £16,644 cost of renovations and work on a London flat he was buying. The claims, which included a new kitchen were at first rejected. Burnham had written three notes asking for the money to be paid, including one at Christmas 2005 complaining "Otherwise I might be in line for divorce!" Ultimately the Fees Office accepted the claim and reimbursed Burnham. The Fees Office refused to pay a June 2006 claim for mortgage interest which covered both the Lambeth flat and Burnham's constituency home, and also a mortgage claim which included capital repayment. The rules allowed reimbursement of mortgage interest only and on one home at a time. Burnham also attempted to claim £19.99 for a bathrobe and £0.99 for a toothbrush from IKEA, which was rejected by officials; Burnham said it was a "genuine oversight".
Mr Burnham faced even more expenses questions when the Daily Mail revealed he rented out his taxpayer funded London flat and then moved into a rented flat also paid for by expenses. This followed a rule change that MP's were only permitted to claim rent and not mortgage interest payments. Daily Mail revelations of 27 Mp's
Read more about this topic: Andy Burnham
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