16 May 2024 , 13:04
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Tory Minister Paul Maynard broke expenses rules after using an office printer to produce "overtly political" material, a watchdog has ruled.
The Pensions Minister was alleged earlier this year to have used his taxpayer-funded resources and constituency office to promote the Tories and his re-election.
Today the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) - which oversees MPs' expenses - said the Blackpool North MP had breached its rules. The watchdog said: "The MP has admitted to the use of the IPSA funded ‘Riso’ printer being used to produce non-parliamentary material over the period 2017 – 2024."
It also found he had under-reported use of his constituency office by his local Conservative Party association. Ipsa requested a repayment of £1,367 which the MP paid on May 2. But Mr Maynard was cleared of wrongdoing over his "higher than average" claim of £106,000 for printing and related costs since 2010.
The report said: "The MP reasonably believed he had put in place an agreement with Ipsa to allow for the occasional use of his constituency office for non-parliamentary purposes and made regular payments to Ipsa for this purpose.
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"However, the compliance officer considers the frequent use of Ipsa-funded office equipment such as the 'Riso' printer went beyond the bounds of this agreement, even if some of the costs of use were covered by the local Conservative Association. In addition, it is reasonable to assume the constituency office was used for storage and preparation of party-political material at various times which are not accurately reflected in the log of use maintained by the MP's office."
Mr Maynard said he had paid back the recommended sum and welcomed the findings of the report, which he said "makes no direct criticism of me or of my office".
"I am grateful to the compliance officer for his time in considering this matter," the MP said. "I welcome his report, which makes no direct criticism of me or of my office, and accept the findings. I have implemented his recommendations and already reimbursed Ipsa the sum recommended. I also agree with Ipsa that despite our best intentions, navigating the dual use of a constituency office can, at times, be inherently complicated. I have now ceased this arrangement."