Sunday, 24 May 2009

Mark Todd claimed for designer marble table

Mr Todd has represented South Derbyshire since 1997

Mr Todd told his local newspaper this week that he was “surprised” by some of the items claimed by his fellow parliamentarians using public money.

But his file, shows taxpayers funded a refurbished kitchen and bathroom at his London flat, and furniture including leather chairs and a marble table.

Mr Todd, who has represented South Derbyshire since 1997 and is standing down at the next election, claims the second home allowance on a two-bedroom flat near Westminster that he has owned since 2003. He also earns £12,500 a year renting out another flat nearby.

He claims mortgage interest payments of less than £300 a month, but has still spent close to the full additional costs allowance.

In 2005-06 he was repaid £7,644.52 for replacing radiators, and tiles in the kitchen and bathroom.

The following financial year he claimed a further £4,964 for new kitchen surfaces, £889.15 on lighting, £1,089 for a new sink, £2,169 for new oak doors, £813 for replacement carpet, £820 for curtains and blinds and £1,085 for a bed and mattress.

In 2007-08, his claims included £600 for four “black leather dining chairs” which had cost him £760 and £600 of the £1,690 cost of a white marble dining table by Finnish designer Eero Saarinen. He also claimed £100 of the £149 cost of a Gaggia coffee maker.

He has not claimed any further redecoration or furniture since September 2007. In total, he claimed £24,877 for fitting out the flat between 2004-05 and 2007-08.

Mr Todd told the Derby Evening Telegraph: “I’ve tried to only claims for things required for a living space... There are no music systems.”

Questioned further by this newspaper, he said that he had spent at least £80,000 on renovating the flat and had not claimed the full costs back.

“The claims identified complied with the rules at the time,” he added.

He said he would pay back a depreciated value for any items he keeps when he leaves the Commons.


Name: Mark Todd

Job: Backbench Labour MP

Salary: £64,766

Total second home claims

2004-05: £20,902

2005-06: £21,634

2006-07: £22,061

2007-08: £19,023

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