MP claims £1,500 for landscaping

A Labour MP is at the centre of an expenses row today after claiming ?1,500 to have his garden landscaped.

Frank Cook, MP for Stockton North in Cleveland, submitted the bill to the House of Commons for work at his £500,000 Camberwell home.

The request, refused by the Parliamentary authorities, was handed in only weeks after it was reve a led that MPs recouped an average of twice their salaries in expenses. Mr Cook made his claim under the additional costs allowance which can be used by MPs to cover the cost of running a second home. He also owns a £350,000 property in Stockton-on-Tees.

Mr Cook said: "The work was such that I could not carry it out myself and take care of my duties towards my constituents. There has been no impropriety."