MSPs spend thousands on hotel meals – while public foots the bill

EXPENSES: Tayside pair lead the way as they make up more than quarter of total cost

Two Dundee-based MSPs have racked up more than a quarter of the total spend by Holyrood politicians on taxpayer-funded hotel dining in Edinburgh.

The SNP’s Joe FitzPatrick claimed £2,001 on evening meals at Edinburgh lodgings in 2017/18, while Scottish Conservative Bill Bowman expensed £1,197.

Their combined bill makes up 27% of the £11,806 claimed by all 129 MSPs for hotel dinners, according to official figures published by the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Politicians can be reimbursed for overnight stays in Edinburgh if they are based far enough away from Holyrood.

Although MSPs are allowed to claim hotel evening meals as part of their accommodation provision, most do not.

Mr Bowman, who has a portfolio of investments worth more than £600,000, became a North East MSP following the death of Alex Johnstone in December 2016.

Mr FitzPatrick has been the Dundee West MSP since winning the seat from Labour in 2007.

Neither politician is able to claim back rent for a property in Edinburgh, which is available for MSPs based further afield and would keep costs down.

Holyrood sits Tuesday to Thursday during term time.

A spokesman for the SNP MSP said: “Mr FitzPatrick’s previous role and commitments as Minister for Parliamentary Business necessitated more frequent overnight stays in Edinburgh.”

A party spokesman for Mr Bowman said: “We follow parliamentary rules on expenses.

“All claims were assessed and approved by the allowances department in line with official procedure.”

In total, MSPs claimed £16.1 million on expenses, including staffing and stationery costs, in 2017/18.

That is an increase of £328,000 on the 2016/17 figure, but a fall in real terms.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: “The cost of expenses incurred in carrying our parliamentary duties rose by less than the rate of inflation last year.”

All claims were assessed and approved by the allowances department

Clockwise from top left: MSPs Mark Ruskell, Graeme Dey, Mairi Gougeon, Joe FitzPatrick and Bill Bowman.

Jenny Gilruth MSP claimed 25% less in overall expenses last year than in 2016/17.