"Cynical and Shameful" says Mike Barker

8.00.00pm GMT Thu 10th Dec 2009

On March 23rd, 2009, Alan Milburn, who, among his six jobs, has been the Labour MP for Darlington since 1992, charged the taxpayer £760 for a miscellany of household goods from John Lewis, including four Siberian Goose Feather and Down Pillows, a Jamie Oliver saute pan and a set of Nigella Lawson measuring spoons (the mind boggles!).

On June 26th, 2009, Alan Milburn MP announced to his local Labour Party that he would not be standing for Parliament at the next General Election.

Mike Barker, Lib Dem candidate for Darlington, said, "This represents a cynical and shameful exploitation of the Parliamentary expenses system. Clearly Mr Milburn is out to milk the taxpayers for every penny he can wring out of us before we see the back of him. Quite why, after 17 years in Parliament, Mr Milburn suddenly decides he can't live without a set of Nigella Lawson measuring spoons is beyond me. We also pay £600 a year so he can watch Sky TV. Has he not heard of a Freeview? Or do they have Nigella repeats on Sky?