Lembit hit by expenses row

High profile MP Lembit Opik was today dragged into the expenses row after the Liberal Democrats became the latest party hit by damaging revelations about their use of public money.

The Montgomeryshire MP, his party's housing spokesman, is said to have charged taxpayers for a £40 court summons he received for the non-payment of his council tax. However, he said he would refund it.

Mr Opik said the claim was submitted in May 2006 – not long after his brother Endel's death in November 2005.

"It is easy to make mistakes like that in times of personal bereavement," he said. "It is easy to take your eyes off the ball."

He is also said to have claimed £12,655 for renovation work for his second home in London, including a new kitchen.

Mr Opik said cash was not lavished on the flat, but used to renovate the entire property.

"It had damp, the bay window was falling apart, and when it was raining outside it was raining inside.

"It was the first major renovation in 11 to 12 years, since I moved in," he said.

"Anything which was costed as an improvement rather than a renovation, was paid for by myself."

The Fees Office refused a claim for a £2,499 TV and he footed the bill himself, but he later successfully claimed £890 for a smaller set and a new video recorder.

In July last year, he claimed £135 for a triple mirror and coffee table and earlier that year, he had bought another £120 coffee table from an internet retailer, a £139 stool and table set, which were all delivered to his constituency office in Wales.

Mr Opik said the coffee table was later transferred – and on the other occasion there was no-one to receive the items at his flat. He denied any wrongdoing.

"It is a lamentable situation," he said. "The answer is perfectly obvious, they should do away with the system, except for travel expenses, and let an independent review body set the salary for MPs.

"I hope politicians have the courage to go on and do that."

By London Reporter Sunita Patel