MP ROB Flello has defended a £750 payment he made to his predecessor to furnish a London flat.

Mr Flello, pictured, took over George Stevenson's London home when he replaced him as the member for Stoke-on-Trent South in 2005.

He said that the deal represented good value for the taxpayer, as otherwise the items – including chairs, table a bed and television – would have been bought new and at greater cost.

He said: "I needed somewhere to move into as a newly-elected MP and the flat became available on an unfurnished basis.

"I spoke to the landlady and said I was interested and George was going to get rid of the furnishings, which were his, and asked if I wanted to buy them as a job lot.

"I think £750 isn't a bad price for what I got."

Asked if Mr Stevenson had claimed for the furniture on expenses originally, Mr Flello said that was something which his predecessor would have to be asked.

He added: "I don't know if he paid for it with expenses originally, but, as a newly-elected MP, it meant I did not have to go out and buy."