FOUR Suffolk MPs claimed a total of nearly �300,000 in expenses over a four-year period, an EADT investigation reveals today.

Graham Dines

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By Graham Dines

Political Editor

FOUR Suffolk MPs claimed a total of nearly �300,000 in expenses over a four-year period, an EADT investigation reveals today.

The figures were revealed as the controversy over MPs' expenses rages on, with the Speaker, Michael Martin, calling leaders of the main political parties to a crisis meeting over the issue.

The EADT has asked every Suffolk and north Essex MP to provide full details of their expenses claims. So far, four have responded - Chris Mole (Ipswich), Richard Spring (West Suffolk), David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds), and Tim Yeo (South Suffolk).

Between them, the four MPs claimed a total of �291,250 in expenses in four financial years. The total included Mr Spring claiming �17,000 for food in that period, Mr Ruffley being paid �4,400 for furniture at his new Suffolk flat, and Mr Mole claiming �1,100 for a TV, but only receiving the maximum allowance of �750.

There is no suggestion that any of the Suffolk MPs have broken any of the rules governing MPs' expenses claims, but the details are certain to fuel debate about the need to reform the current system.

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