HARPENDEN and Hitchin MP Peter Lilley's second home claims - revealed to the Review - have been criticised by a political opponent who insists it is unnecessary for him to keep a home at taxpayers' expense.

An additional costs allowance document, seen by the Review, shows Mr Lilley, whose main home is in Hitchin (approximately 40 miles away from Westminster), has claimed mortgage interest of around £12,500 a year on a second home in London in the last three years.

It is unclear whether Mr Lilley was living in the house before 1997 when he represented St Albans. The Review has requested clarification from Mr Lilley but he is currently away on holiday.

Political rival Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden Nigel Quinton said: "Why is he claiming anything for a second home when he lives so close to London? Most of his constituents commute from Harpenden and Hitchin to London every day - there's no big deal.

"A lot of other MPs in other stations do not claim second home allowance.

"With the general principle of second home allowance he's as guilty as many other MPSs - this allowance has been treated as an entitlement.

"He's done nothing to help change the system; for all the votes in reforming these things he's been absent. There are people who are trying to reform the system - he's not been one of them."

In accordance with rules exempting MPs from providing receipts for food, Mr Lilley has claimed around £3,500 in two years, but did not receiev any reimbursements last year.

Mr Quinton added: "We know who to go to if we want a good restaurant recommendation in London."

Mr Lilleys Labour counterpart Oli De Botton added: "Like many people in the constituency, I am angry that Peter Lilley is prepared to squeeze as much out of the taxpayer as he possibly can.

"It is ridiculous that he is claiming thousands of pounds for food. What does he think his salary is for? "Being an MP is an absolute privilege. It is not about personal gain but about helping other people.

"If Mr Lilley wants to enrich himself he should get another job and let those of us who want to serve the public take his place."

The expenses also reveal Mr Lilley claimed more than £6,000 between 2007 and 2008 for repairs at his London home including a boiler replacement, window repairs and shower renovations.

  • Between 2005 and 2006 Mr Lilley claimed £12,498 in mortgage interest payments, £1,950 for food, £1,550 on utilities, £1,030 on council tax, £380 on cleaning, £1,480 on maintenance, £1,260 on repairs, insurance and security.
  • Between 2006 and 2007 Mr Lilley was reimbursed £12,702 in mortgage interest payments, £1,500 for food, £1,230 for utility expenses, £1,100 in council tax, £300 for cleaning, £550 for service and maintenance, £540 for repairs, insurance and security. He claimed a further £3,000 for repairs on a leak at his London home bringing the total expense claim to £21,196.
  • Between 2007 and 2008 Mr Lilley claimed £12,702 in mortgage interest payments, £1,292 for utilties, £1,136 on council tax, £445 on cleaning, £1,048 on repairs, insurance and security. The MP was reimbursed £6,260 for further repairs, bringing the total just short of the maximum allowance to £23,083.