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by Mark Blacklock
TAXPAYERS have been forced to shell out for tightfisted millionaire Tories’ office stationery, including an 11p ruler.
Data shown to the Morning Star yesterday revealed that former chief whip Andrew Mitchell and prominent backbencher Nadhim Zahawi have both claimed back tiny sums in expenses despite their huge personal wealth.
The pair put their hand in the public purse despite supporting the government’s cuts to welfare benefits and public-sector pay.
Mr Mitchell — the millionaire ex-banker who can make up to £18,000-a-day with a consultancy sideline job — claimed for a single glue stick costing 22p.
Stratford-on-Avon Tory Mr Zahawi, the multimillionaire founder of pollster YouGov, bought a stick of a glue for just 10p and still claimed it back.
Their claims, which are within parliamentary rules, were revealed in the latest Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) data.
People’s Assembly national secretary Sam Fairbairn said: “It seems the Tories are happy for the state to provide anything as long as it benefits the richest.
“But those who have to rely on the state to live because of low wages, disability or unemployment are labelled scroungers.
“It’s socialism for the rich and capitalism for the rest of us.”
The data also revealed that former Welsh secretary David Jones, the Conservative member for Clwyd West, claimed 25p for a stamp.
Chesham and Amersham Tory Cheryl Gillan, one of David Cameron’s nominations for a seat on the Council of Europe, was repaid for the 11p clear plastic ruler bought for her constituency office.
And Ukip’s first elected MP Douglas Carswell charged the public purse 16p for a pair of scissors bought in April last year, when he was still the Conservative member for Clacton.
Members of other parties were also among Parliament’s top misers.
Retiring Lib Dem MP Adrian Sanders logged a 7p claim for a phone call, while Labour MP Anne McGuire reclaimed 2p for an item listed as “invoice for stationery.”
The figures come just a day after the Star revealed that Tory Minister Esther McVey misled Ipsa about rent payments she claimed back for her second home.
Ms McVey, who has helped implement benefit sanctions, said she made £1,830 rent payments to two landlords who do not exist.
