Poppy whinge Tory blasted by voters

A TORY MP who moaned about paying out of his own pocket for poppy wreaths was yesterday slammed by his angry constituents.

Andrew Bridgen, 52, who earns £80,000 a year as MP for North West Leicestershire, said Remembrance Sunday cost him £200 a year.

Constituent Alan Sharp, 57, from Ashby-dela-zouch, said: “He can claim for things like a second home in London. I can’t believe he is moaning about paying out a few quid for wreaths for people who died in wars. He’s miles better off than most. It’s a stupid thing to say.”

Jane Adams, 49, from Measham, added: “He’s out of touch with the real world. He complains he’s hard-up but most people here don’t earn much more than £400. On his wage it’s ridiculous to complain about having to buy wreaths.”

Joan Thompson, 81, from Coalville, said: “My husband lost two cousins in the war and his family still buy flowers every year to honour them. None of them are big earners but no one has ever moaned about forking out for them.”

Ex-soldier Robert Dunn, 76, also of Coalville, added: “It shows pretty poor judgment to complain about paying for wreaths in remembrance of men who died for their country.”

The Tory, who lives in a £2million property, made his comments while asking a judge to halt an £1,100 monthly spousal maintenance payment to his ex-wife Jacqueline, 40.