Nick today welcomed the opportunity to confirm his expenses claims. This is in response to the publication of the Legg Review which ordered some MPs to repay money claimed or clarify past claims.

As an inner-London MP, Nick has never been entitled to a second home allowance nor to claim for furniture or fittings, cleaning, gardening or food, and has never done so. Neither has Nick made any claims for travel costs. Nick is not required to return any money as part of the Legg review.

Nick’s total expense claim for 2007-08 was £117,562, the majority of which was spent on employing staff to assist with constituents’ enquiries, conduct research and to run his office. The remainder of the expenses was spent on office equipment, stationary, stamps and rent for office space in the constituency for meetings with constituents and advice surgeries which Nick holds six times per month across Greenwich and Woolwich.

Nick said: “I know that the issue of MPs’ expenses is one that remains high in many people’s minds when they think about politics and I wanted to take the opportunity, in light of the Legg review, to make sure that residents in Greenwich and Woolwich are fully aware of my position.

I have never claimed for a second home, nor for any furniture or fittings. My expense claim is the 37^th lowest out of 646 MPs and the vast majority of my expense claim is spent on employing members of staff who assist me in taking up constituents’ cases whenever they come to me with a problem.

The process of going through other MPs’ expenses will take time and will continue to generate negative comments about politics and about Members of Parliament. I hope that by making my position as clear as possible, local residents will be reassured about my position. If any residents have any queries about any elements of my claims for expenses, which were all published earlier this year, then they are welcome to write to my office to seek further clarification”.