ROB Flello has claimed £47,945.28 in office expenses over the last three years.

He claimed back £10,904.77 he spent on the production of two MP's newsletters.

He has also claimed more than £1,000 on the refurbishment of his office including furniture.

The majority of Mr Flello's claims were for his phone bill, photocopying and office stationery.

Mr Flello, who now lives in a budget hotel in London because he wasn't happy with rented property, has claimed £77,919.20 in second home allowances over the last four years.

He has also claimed £9,520.43 in communications allowance.

Mr Flello justified his expenditure on office furnishings by saying he needed to 'update' the office previously occupied by the former MP George Stevenson.

He said: "Obviously, being a new MP, the office I moved into needed some updating and in the last 12 months I've been in a new office in Fenton which has better facilities for staff and is much more constituent-friendly.

"I think I've been quite frugal with what I've spent and I hope the taxpayers will agree.

"It is difficult when somebody looks at the expenses to see the big picture behind them but I've always tried to be as straightforward and reasonable as possible with expense claims."

Rob Flello – MP for Stoke-on-Trent South

Incidental Expenses Provision

2005/06 – £17,790.25

2006/07 – £17,450.67

2007/08 – £12,704.36

Communications Allowance

2007/08 – £9,520.43