MP John Reid claimed expenses for new toilet seat

May 13 2009 by Richard Mooney, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

JOHN Reids s30 allowances claim for a black glittery toilet seat has been branded absurd, bizzare and petty by the Taxpayers Alliance.

The Airdrie and Shotts MP claimed for s8890 of taxpayers money whilst refurbishing his house between 2004 and 2006.

Leaked receipts show that the 61-year-old spent s1328 on tiles and s2387 on a Homebase bathroom suite, which included the s30 black glitter toilet seat.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: There is no way that taxpayers should have to buy such petty things as toilet seats or other household items for MPs.

Parliamentarians earn three times the average salary if they want bizarre bathroom furnishings they can pay for them themselves.

It is this kind of absurd claim that makes ordinary, hard-working people feel totally taken for granted by politicians.

The Celtic chairman claimed for a s199 pouffe, a s370 armchair and s899 for a sofa for his new flat in Glasgow last year.

Dr Reid, who claimed for s160,209 in allowances between April 2007 and March 2008, also submitted a s486.50 Marks and Spencers shopping receipt.

While living in Motherwell he claimed s685.84 for Rentokil rodent termination services in June 2004.

Dr Reid said: When I moved, after staying in the same constituency home for over 21 years, all legitimate costs were approved and were within the rules of the House of Commons authorities.

Between April 2007 and March 2008 he claimed s14,284 in travel expenditure and s145,925 in main allowances.

On the MPs Register of Interests, it also shows that Dr Reid earned between s45,000 and s50,000 from security firm G4S UK and, according to Celtic plc figures, around s35,000 for his position within the football club.

The former Cabinet Minister also earned between s5000 and s10,000 for a speech to the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors in Leeds last June, as well as two undisclosed amounts from rental income from a flat in London and his business, John Reid Advisory Ltd.

For travel allowances Dr Reid claimed nothing for mileage for journeys between his home, constituency and Westminster, but did spend s1300 in rail travel and s8560 in flights, s1467 for 10 journeys made by his wife and s2957 for 21 journeys made by employees.