Eddie McGrady who claimed for a £315-a-night hotel roomOn one occasion, Eddie McGrady chose a five star boutique hotel which cost the public purse up to £315 a night. He also claimed thousands of pounds in "petty sundries" – most of which were refused. By contrast, some of his parliamentary colleagues found hotels in the capital for £100.
Mr McGrady, the Social Democrat and Labour Party MP for South Down, spent the majority of his nights in London at The Royal Horseguards hotel which overlooks the Thames and has recently been given a five-star rating. In 2007, rooms cost £250 a night.
The MP also stayed at The Rubens, which is within a few yards of Buckingham Palace and cost £265 a night in 2006.
One review said: "The Rubens prides itself on luxury. Sumptuously nestled close to St James's Park, the hotel offers all the peace you could wish for."
His most expensive claim was for the five-star boutique hotel 41 Buckingham Palace Road, where he was charged £315 on one night and £245 on another.
One description of the hotel said it "cleverly infuses abundant luxury with modern practicality. 41's exceptional club-like qualities will provide an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and superb service".
The MP's hotel accommodation was paid for by the fees office, but officials challenged his attempts to charge other costs incurred at the hotel on his second home allowance. When he submitted £2,000 for the cost of eight nights' accommodation between April and July 2007, the fees office did not question it.
However, when he also tried to charge £1,562 for food, £184 for telephone and £826 for "laundry, sundries etc", one official scrawled next to the claim "8 days?"
The fees office then wrote to Mr McGrady: "I note that you claimed £2,572 in total for food, telephone and telecommunications, laundry and sundries relating to eight overnight stays in hotels in London.
"We are concerned that your claim may be considered excessive." He did not object and the money was never paid.
Yesterday, Mr McGrady - who was elected as an MP in 1987 - said he had made a conscious decision 20 years ago not to buy a property in London.
"When in Westminster for parliamentary business, representing the constituents of South Down, I stay in hotels which I believe offers greater value for money for taxpayers than a second home," he said.
"I have regularly stayed at the Royal Horseguards as the nearest appropriate hotel to Westminster. After late-night sittings, I find it safer to be able to walk to the hotel.
"I avail of government rates when available which varies considerably with season; I have established some priority booking there for busy season when I have had difficulty getting accommodation.
"The couple of stays at the Rubens was by way of referral by the Royal Horseguards when they could not accommodate me.
"As I am sure you appreciate, often hotel accommodation is at a premium in London."
SNAPSHOT
Eddie McGrady
Job: backbench SDLP MP for South Down, Northern Ireland
Salary: £64,766
Total second home claims:
2004-05: £12,301
2005-06: £7,903
2006-07: £11,709
2007-08: £9,295
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