MR Browne has defended billing the taxpayer for shopping sprees at John Lewis to furnish his London flat.

The most recent set of expense claims, covering March, 2008, to April, 2009, and the last made under the old system, include the following from John Lewis in London or Bristol:

  • £1,410 on a bed and mattress
  • £96 on a leather pouffe
  • £48 on two cushions
  • £343.50 on bedding
  • £375 on a desk and chair

There is also a £100 claim for framing a wall hanging at a shop in Taunton.

Mr Browne said: “The allowance existed to pay for a furnished flat in London and I spent it on paying for a furnished flat in London, with the contents being the equivalent of a reasonable hotel room.

“I under-claimed by £2,630 in the last fin-ancial year.”

Taunton Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Mark Formosa said: “A lot of people feel annoyed by this and insulted as well.

“It’s disappointing to see that the current MP for Taunton has been claiming from the famous John Lewis list for things many members of the public could not afford to have or would have to pay for out of their earnings, which is the way it should be.”

Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Taunton, Martin Jevon, said: “It’s reasonable to kit out a second home, but having myself just bought a bed at Argos for £179, including a mattress, it’s disappointing that Mr Browne seems to have gone for some of the more expensive options whereas the average constituent is not able to afford those.”

To view Jeremy Browne's expense claims in full on the Parliament website, click on the Related Link below.

Mr Browne has been asked to repay £17,894 in mortgage interest expense claims - click on the Related Link below for details.