Mrs McCarthy-Fry, who is Under-Secretary of State for Schools and Learners, bought the GHD tongs at a salon in her constituency of Portsmouth North.
She put the £99.50 bill from Garbos through on her second home allowance in May 2007, but it was rejected by the fees office.
Mrs McCarthy-Fry was told: “The Department of Finance and Administration is unable to allow costs relating to personal items, in this case hair stylers.”
The Green Book sets out how the additional costs allowance (ACA), currently £24,222 a year, can be spent to help run a second home. It states that only items necessary for MPs’ work are allowable. However, Mrs McCarthy-Fry, who was elected in 2005, was allowed to charge taxpayers £17.50 for the cost of a sewing box bought at John Lewis.
During her first month at Westminster, she moved into a serviced apartment, putting through a £1,950 deposit and £1,408 monthly rent.
She claimed £333.40 for bedding from John Lewis and a £198.95 DVD player.
The following year, she moved into another flat with two female MPs. Her rent fell to £1,011.11 a month. She claimed £1,099.89 for “personal fixtures and fittings” and for a “bedroom and en suite bathroom”, including a chest of drawers and dressing table from Argos, a television, bed linen, an illuminated make-up mirror and a pine mirror costing £49.97.
Mrs McCarthy-Fry said: “As a new MP in 2005 I bought several items for my rented flat and sought advice from the fees office on what was claimable under the ACA.
“I was advised that the other items, including sewing box, were acceptable and that was the basis on which I submitted my claim.
“With regard to the hair straighteners, I fully accept this was a personal item that was claimed in error and was correctly rejected by the fees office.”
Sarah McCarthy-Fry
Job: Parliamentary Under Secretary (Schools and Learners)
Salary: £95,617
Total second home claims
2004-05: N/A
2005-06: £21,633
2006-07: £21,769
2007-08: £16,792
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