County MP 'careful on costs'

Shropshire MP Daniel Kawczynski today said he was happy to discuss his expenses claims with constituents following allegations of a "systematic abuse" of the rules by some MPs.

The Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham , who gave up his London flat last summer in a personal gesture designed to open his own expenses to public view, said: "I and my staff – we are incredibly careful.

"We spend money carefully and appropriately on behalf of my constituents in providing a good service for them."

Mr Kawczynski pays £94 to stay at a London club for the nights he spends away from his constituency, at a cost of about £10,000 per year.

The maximum second home allowance available to MPs is £24,000.

He moved after the Commons rejected his proposal for MPs to stay in a university-style halls of residence in London to cut costs.

Mr Kawczynski said: "I am personally happy to discuss the expenses I claim with any constituents and show them all of my expenses. I have personally never bought an apartment with taxpayers' money.

"I have calculated all the options – buying, renting a flat or staying at a hotel – and I have found the best value for money is staying in a hotel."

Mr Kawczynski welcomed Tory leader David Cameron's action to set up a new scrutiny panel to assess all "excessive" expenses claims by Conservative MPs, and where necessary order them to be repaid.

He said Mr Cameron had shown "great leadership" on the issue.