MP ANDREW Mackinlay claimed £46,000 to cover rent at his London flat over the past four years.

But he rarely splashed out on luxury items, with a £44.99 outlay on a digital set-top box, one of his few non-essential purchases.

The Thurrock MP says he bought the equipment to watch the Parliament Channel, and that by not having a mortgage, he will not personally benefit from an asset paid for by the taxpayer.

He says there are 482 MPs who claim more than him and renting the “small flat” a few minutes’ walk from Westminster allows him to be the “first to arrive and last to leave each day”.

Details of almost all the receipts on his expense forms have been blacked out, but the documents indicate he has stuck to a policy of claiming for basic day-to-day expenses with no eye-catching purchases listed in the “other” boxes.

His total claim under the Additional Costs Allowance over the past four financial years was £61,864.

He was reimbursed £8,540 for food, £2,565 for cleaning, and claimed nothing for repairs.

Carl Morris, a spokesman for the MP, said Mr Mackinlay was away on Parliamentary business and unavailable for comment when the Echo tried to contact him yesterday.

He added: “Andrew’s record on expenses compares very favourably with other MPs, and it is fair to say there are few who have a better attendance record, contribute more to debates or table more questions.”