WIRRAL West MP Stephen Hesford was revealed as Merseysides most expensive MP last night after claiming s166,866 in expenses s22,000 more than the Commons average.
It emerged the Labour backbencher ran up a Parliamentary bill 16% above average last year as the revelations over Home Secretary Jacqui Smiths expenses left her career hanging by a thread.
Mr Hesford claimed close to the second home allowance maximum (s21,665), and his bills for office costs (s27,038), postage (s5,355) and the communication allowance (s9,774) were higher than most.
Mike Hall (Lab, Weaver Vale s167,791) was the costliest MP in Cheshire, with Claire Curtis-Thomas (Lab; Crosby s165,621), Helen Jones (Lab; Warrington North s165,102) and Ben Chapman (Lab; Wirral South s164,699) high up the list.
Last night, Mr Hesford strongly defended his allowances claim, insisting: My constituents are provided with the best possible service I can provide.
