MPs' expenses: 'Say sorry, Clappison'

PARLIAMENTARY hopeful Sam Russell has called on Hertsmere MP James Clappison to apologise to his constituents and repay expenses he claimed in respect of furniture and gardening. In last week's Potters Bar Edition, we reported how Mr Clappison used public

PARLIAMENTARY hopeful Sam Russell has called on Hertsmere MP James Clappison to apologise to his constituents and repay expenses he claimed in respect of furniture and gardening.

In last week's Potters Bar Edition, we reported how Mr Clappison used public money to buy plants, a bed, a washing machine and a kitchen blender for his second home in St Albans.

Mr Clappison, 52, defended his expenses claims, saying Parliament's fees office found them to be "entirely within the rules".

But Mr Russell, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Hertsmere, said: "I don't think that carries any weight when it is MPs themselves who make the rules."

Full story in this week's Potters Bar Edition, out on Wednesday.