Danczuk buys a TV on taxpayers

Danczuk TV... on taxpayers

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has bought a television courtesy of taxpayers.

Mr Danczuk's expense claims reveal that in October last year he claimed £129.99 in 'office costs' for the purchase of the television. Mr Danczuk failed to respond when asked to clarify the purchase.

In November he also claimed £2.10 for staff food and drink - readers may recall Mr Danczuk and his team of supporters ridiculing Paul Rowen for claiming for a banana for an intern when Mr Rowen was MP.

He has also made two claims for £500 for a 'freelance consultant' for 'professional services'. Asked to clarify who the 'consultant' was and what services were provided Mr Danczuk again failed to respond.

A Freedom of Information request has been sent to IPSA, the regulatory body set up to oversee MPs' expenses, for copies of receipts and invoices submitted by Mr Danczuk.

IPSA recently lost a test case challenge against an order that it must release copies of receipts and invoices submitted by politicians.

Mr Danczuk also tops the list of big spending MPs when it comes to claiming for accommodation. Using the Freedom of Information Act, freelance journalist Martin Williams unearthed copies of some of the housing contracts that politicians have signed. He reported: "At the top of the pile of big spenders are MPs such as Simon Danczuk, who has claimed £2,142 per month for rent. In a letter to Ipsa, he said this was 'within my budget'. But it wasn’t him who was paying – it was the taxpayer."

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/17/mps-expenses-martin-williams-parliament-ltd

Rochdale Online reported last November on Mr Danczuk's penchant for claiming for first class travel:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/99331/first-class-travel-on-the-danczuk-gravy-train

Having been ordered by IPSA to repay £11,000 he claimed in accommodation costs for two children who did not "routinely" live with him, Mr Danczuk's expense claims are currently the subject of a Metropolitan Police investigation.