A BRENT MP has hit back at critics over an £11,500 expenses claim, saying he paid the money back.

Barry Gardiner (Lab/Brent North) initially billed the taxpayer for the legal costs of buying a property in Talisman Way, Wembley, but said he was entitled to do so under the rules of the Green Book.

He said he repaid the cash, along with another £3,700, voluntarily in May after a change in the expenses rules and said he published the fact on his website.

He said: “That cost has not been incurred by the public purse because that's covered by the money I repaid to the fees office in full.

“The party leaders decided that in future only mortgage interest would be claimable. What really gets me is that I went so much further.

“I said if you are going to apply that in future I will apply it retrospectively.”

Mr Gardiner was accused in May of making £200,000 profit from the sale of a flat in central London where he made expenses claims.

He told the Harrow Times the flat increased in value due to fluctuations in the market and said the profit was made on money he paid, including the deposit, not money claimed from the taxpayer.

Councillor Paul Lorber, Lib Dem leader of Brent Council, today told the Harrow Times he was appalled by the expenses claims.

Mr Gardiner accused Cllr Lorber of trying to smear him and said he discussed his second home claims on the Wembley flat in a public meeting in May.