MP Nick Clegg spent more than £7,000 of taxpayers' money renovating his Sheffield home last year, it has been revealed.
The Lib Dem leader used his Parliamentary expenses to fund new carpets, flooring, blinds and curtains, as well as light fittings and plastering work.
He also spent money repairing and maintaining the garden, supplying and fitting pipework and rep
airing the garage at his home in Ecclesall.
The Sheffield Hallam MP also claimed £12,254 to cover mortgage interest payments for the property and £1,690 on council tax.
What do you think? Add your comment below.The details emerged after Mr Clegg made good on his promise to voluntarily publish a fuller breakdown of his MP expenses. He published the details on his website.
He is the first party leader to do so and the move will put pressure on Gordon Brown and David Cameron to do the same.
Mr Clegg's aides yesterday stressed the renovation and repair costs are a "one off" and "not an ongoing cost".
The submission on his website stated: "The property was bought in early 2006 and was in a neglected condition where the kitchen, living room and garden were in need of one-off repair work to make the house fit for normal use."
Mr Clegg claimed the maximum £23,083 in 2007/08 from the Additional Costs Allowance, which reimburses MPs for the costs incurred in staying away from their main home.
His main home is in South West London.
The breakdown of his ACA also included £634.11 in utility bills, £623.88 in telephone bills and £105.50 on cleaning.
Alongside the renovations, Mr Clegg also spent £630.90 on "repairs/insurance/security". He did not claim any money for food.
Mr Clegg yesterday announced that all his frontbenchers will disclose similar expenses breakdowns quarterly, starting in July.
He also published his submission to the review of Parliamentary pay and allowances currently being undertaken by the Members Estimate Committee.
He called for "full transparency" and suggested spot checks to ensure public money was being spent "proportionately".
His submission stated: "The ability for MPs to claim mortgage interest in respect of a second property is controversial, not least for the consequent possibility that a capital gain can be made on the sale of the property.
"If a capital gain is made at sale, it should be fully taxed."
Freedom of Information requests revealed earlier this year the so-called John Lewis List of guide prices that MPs can charge the taxpayer for new items to furnish their second homes.
It included £10,000 for a kitchen, £6,335 for a bathroom, £750 for a television and £200 for a food mixer.
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