MP defends £14,000 expense claim

Alasdair McDonnell claimed nearly £14,000 for stamp duty

SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell has defended his decision to claim nearly £14,000 in stamp duty as part of his parliamentary expenses.

The South Belfast MP bought a flat in London for about £460,000 in 2005, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Mr McDonnell said his expenses were within the regulations, legitimate, and were considered reasonable by the Fees Office.

The newspaper also reported that he spent £1,360 on blinds and curtains.

The paper also said that East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson claimed £6,150 in stamp duty, £1406.90 in solicitors fees and £2,914 for furniture.

South Antrim DUP MP William McCrea claimed for hotel stays and the maximum monthly food allowance, £400, for most of 2005-06.

The paper reported that he also claimed £10,000 for furniture for a house bought in south London in April 2006.

A spokesman for the DUP said the party was committed to greater openness and transparency.

He said the party wanted to see the abolition of the current system of expenses, which would be replaced by a central procurement unit in Westminster.