The sheer arrogance of Southend West MP David Amess is astounding.

He not only claims for a second home in London, when thousands in Westcliff commute daily (many with far more unsociable hours than MPs), but also claims £400 each month for food.

That he should then run away and hide from the press in a local hairdresser to avoid being brought to account for his profligacy, simply beggars belief.

He may consider that, sitting in a safe Conservative seat, his antics render him bombproof.

I sincerely hope voters in Southend West will now realise that all his “gladhanding”

in the past was merely a smokescreen to hide the fact that his main purpose as an MP seems to have been to feather his own nest at the expense of the taxpayer.

Gavin Inglis
Hildaville Drive
Westcliff