A CONSERVATIVE MP broke new expenses rules by claiming taxpayers’ cash to cover printing carried out by his own company.

Expense details published by the Independent Parliamen-tary Standards Authority yesterday show first year MP Stephen Metcalfe claimed £88 for letterheads printed by Romford-based Metloc Printers – the family business he runs with wife Angela and mother Valerie.

New expense rules ban MPs from claiming for goods and services provided by “connected parties”, including themselves or relatives.

The MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, who ousted former Labour MP Angela Smith at the last election, promised to pay back the money after he was asked about the error by the Echo.

It came to light as it emerged the total amount of money being claimed by MPs across south Essex has dropped significantly compared with claims made before the expenses scandal.

A standards authority spokeswoman said: “Every time an MP makes a claim they are asked to confirm it follows the rules which specifically state they are not allowed to claim services from something connected to themselves.”

Mr Metcalfe described the claim as an oversight, which had since been pointed out to him by a member of staff. However, he said he did not report the error to the standards authority after it was discovered.

He told the Echo: “I am making inquiries to IPSA about how I can pay it back to clear this up.

“The claim was made before I was aware it was not allowed.

“It was one of the very first things I did to claim for signs, posters and cards.”

During last year’s expenses scandal, many MPs were rapped for claiming for goods or services provided by businesses they were involved with.

Mr Metcalfe said he was aware of this and knew he could not claim for such things as rent on a property owned by himself.

However, he said initially he did not realise claiming for printing from his own firm was wrong. He said: “I am no longer renumerated by Metloc, so did not stand to gain.

“I paid the same rate as anyone else, not over the odds and I did not get a discount. But it was later pointed out I should not have claimed it.

“It was an oversight in the early days, but I have put things in place to prevent it happening again.”

Mr Metcalfe said he still uses Metloc for printing, but no longer claims the money through expenses.

The spokeswoman for the standards authority said it did not comment on individual MPs, and only investigates a claim if a compliance officer is notified about the anomaly.

MPs tighten purse strings

SOUTH Essex MPs claimed just £12,500 between them in the first three months since the new Parliament.

The details have been published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

Although MPs are no longer allowed to claim on mortgages, no south Essex MPs have put in a claim for rent.

Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois had not claimed a penny to the end of July, while Southend West MP David Amess only claimed £59.70 for his mobile phone bill.

Top claimer was Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge with £4,542, with £3,877 going on hiring pooled research staff from the Parliamentary Resources Unit, with the rest on admin and phone costs. Mr Duddridge said: “Where possible I commute home and if this is not feasible due to Parliamentary duties and late sittings then I claim for a hotel room.”

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris claimed £4,272, including £3,877 to the Parliamentary Resources Unit.

Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron claimed £3,044, including £1,586 on hiring a constituency office on the Bentalls industrial estate, Basildon, plus £223 to hire a fax machine and £205 to hire a shredder.

South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe and Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price are sharing a constituency office in Orsett to save costs.

However, so far the office costs do not show up on either of their claims, which were for £347 and £246 respectively.

Mrs Doyle-Price’s included two late-night taxi fares from Parliament to Purfleet at £75 and £73.

Mr Metcalfe included one from Parliament to his home in Loughton at £60.