Mark Field’s Expenses Examined

It’s been impossible to avoid the scandal of MPs expenses over the last few months as a steady stream of stories have come to light which have cast the nation’s parliamentarians even lower in public esteem.

So with the publication of all MPs expenses, albeit heavily redacted, on parliament’s website last week, AboutMayfair.co.uk decided to investigate the claims of MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, Mark Field.

The good news (or bad news if you’re a scandal hunting news hound) is that Mr Field’s expenses don’t reveal anything too shocking, as you may have already guessed since he hasn’t been splashed across the pages of the Telegraph.

There are however questions that do arise from the claims, and I put them to the man himself to get more information.

Within Mr Field’s expense claims are a number of invoices for PR services. Curious as to what PR services a backbench MP required, I ask for more information to which Mark said:

“I employed on a part time basis the services of a communications specialist to help me get onto national and regional TV and radio shows as well as promoting my constituency interests in magazines and on websites”

I was intrigued to see claims for a £78 pocket diary & planner from Smythson – one of Mayfair’s famous, luxury brands. It’s heartening to see Mr Field supporting his local businesses, but should an MP be using public money to buy luxury items? Should he have gone to Ryman of Albemarle Street rather than Smythson of Bond Street?

Mark Field tells me that the particular diary in question is an “excellent” one that includes many reference details and useful contact numbers. He says that although he claimed for it in 2004 and 2005, he has since then asked his family members to buy it for him as a gift.

It should also be pointed out that Mark Field has previously written to the Speaker urging reforms and transparency, as well as the abolition of the Second Home Allowance. Mr Field also informs me that he has never remunerated a member of his family, which is something that has caused controversy elsewhere.

So, seemingly uncontroversial accounts and a track record of calling for reforms to the system, it appears that the people of Mayfair may be served by one of the good guys.