TORY MP James Duddridge has said, in hindsight, he would not have had redecoration work done at his second home in London.

The MP for Rochford and Southend East said he claimed £7,000 under the second home allowance in 2007/8 for house repairs.

This included £2,000 for essential repairs to a roof at his first flat, which he designated as his second home. He also says he spent £2,000 on laminate flooring and £3,000 to have the flat repainted.

But then he bought another flat and designated that as his second home. He now rents the first flat out.

Mr Duddridge bought the first flat in Pimlico four years before he was elected and rented it out. He began living there when the tenant moved out, about a month after he was elected as an MP in 2005.

He said: “The first month I stayed with friends or at a hotel, but I thought it made sense to use the flat. I had to pay for roof repairs and I checked with the parliamentary fees office and I was able to claim it.

“I was there for a year. When my wife and I were expecting our first child, we made the decision to move to a different property in London for the longer term. I bought a flat with my own money within five minutes of the House of Commons.

“If I knew what I now know, that it wasn’t going to be suitable for the long term, it would have been sensible not to have the work done. But we make choices and this was a change due to my family situation more than anything else.”

He agreed the need for a second home for south Essex MPs was a “matter for legitimate debate”.

His original flat is rented out but not to anyone he knows nor a family member.

Mr Duddridge, who is on a salary of £64,766, claims mortgage interest, council tax, service charge and so far has claimed for a change of locks on his current second home in Westminster.

LIB DEM WANTS AMESS TO QUIT

A PROSPECTIVE parliamentary candidate has called on David Amess to stand down.

Liberal Democrat Peter Welch said Mr Amess, Tory MP for Southend West, should resign his seat.

Mr Welch said: “We are in a time of unprecedented crisis. The Labour Government is falling apart in office and the Conservative Party seems to be about to fall apart in opposition.

“At a time like this, the people of Southend West need an MP who is open and transparent, and who speaks up for reform.”

He said because Mr Amess refuses to explain his expenses claims he should give up his position.

Mr Welch added: “Enough is enough. If he can’t explain his claims, if he has had the chance to reform the system and voted to keep the old cosy system then he should step down and let the residents of Southend West choose someone else to represent them in Parliament.”

In a letter to Mr Amess, Mr Welch said: “If you cannot fulfil this role, I urge you to stand down from Parliament now.

Mr Amess did not respond to any calls made to his office.