Simon Danczuk among 19 MPs to have official credit card suspended

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Simon Danczuk had his official credit card suspended after running up £3,645.67 in expenses debts, it has been revealed.

The Rochdale MP was among 19 MPs subject to action by the Commons watchdog after failing to show spending was valid.

The details – disclosed in response to a freedom of information (FoI) request by the Press Association – will prove embarrassing for Mr Danczuk.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) issues MPs with credit cards for to pay for items such as travel and accommodation.

The politicians then have to prove the spending was genuine by the end of the month, or they build up debts to the watchdog.

It is understood Mr Danczuk has since cleared his debt.

An Ipsa spokesman stressed that the debts from 29 June were a “snapshot” and in many cases could merely be awaiting evidence from MPs that they were valid claims.

“An MP may owe an amount to Ipsa for many different reasons, and the fact that an amount is owed does not, in itself, indicate any misuse of the MPs’ scheme of business costs and expenses,” the spokesman said.

“As part of our credit management programme, MPs are sent financial statements detailing their monthly position with Ipsa. Where MPs have amounts owed to Ipsa, action is taken to recover these amounts.”