Tory leader spends £1,500 on bathroom
Wednesday, 6 August 2008 10:57 AM
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Nick Bourne, claimed £1,500 of taxpayers' money for "essential work" on his bathroom.
The details come as the Conservatives in Wales published their Assembly members' expenses a week before the Assembly Commission releases those of all members.
The funds come from an Additional Costs Allowance, which covers spending on second homes in Cardiff in much the same system as that which applies to Westminster MPs' London homes.
The highest level of claims from the Conservatives came from former shadow education minister Alun Cairns, who spent the entirety of his £12,500 allowance despite having a family home 45 minutes away.
Between them, the top 12 spenders used up more than £93,000 in allowances.
Mr Bourne said the party's decision to publish the results was a win for transparency and open government.
"We must show we are spending taxpayers' money sensibly and correctly," he said.
"I believe the claims published today show Welsh Conservative AMs are doing just that."
Liberal Democrat Assembly member Peter Black disagreed.
"This is a silly season stunt from the Tories," he said.
"The Assembly Commission has already agreed to publish this information and will be doing so shortly."
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