Taxpayers buy £490 washing machine for John Bercow’s NANNY’S flat and fork out for Christmas tree at his grace-and-favour residence
TAXPAYERS have footed the bill for a £490 washing machine in the flat where Speaker John Bercow's nanny lives.
The public also paid for a Christmas tree in his rent-free house, a Freedom of Information request also found.
The another £1,000 was splashed out to fix doors at the Parliament home the Bercow's live in.
Maintenance costs at the London pad for the past 16 months were revealed, with a letter from the Department of Finance confirming a new washing machine would be installed in "Speakers nannies flat".
A firm was paid £490.78 in February to remove an old machine, and "supply and fit a new Hotpoint washing machine and leave in working order".
The MPs "grace-and-favour" home, which means it's rent-free, is thought to be run entirely from the public purse.
Mr Bercow earns more than £150,000 a year and is the best-paid UK politician - but has been controversial in his tenure.
He was accused of bullying by staff, appears to love the limelight with colourful comments and long speeches and has enraged Tories with his handling of Brexit.
And in 2009, he said he would only serve nine years as Speaker but has recently refused to step down.
He announced earlier this year he will stand down on October 31, having lived in Speaker's House with his family for ten years.
PUBLIC PURSE
A nanny lived in a self-contained flat in the home, with sources telling the Mail they still do.
The report also showed repairs to an entrance door to the kitchen costing £538 in May, and work to a side entrance door adding up to £465.
The House authorities also told the newspaper "We hold a record of Christmas trees being supplied to Westminster Hall and the Speaker’s residence.
"These cost £370, but we cannot disaggregate the costs for the separate areas."
A spokesperson for the Speaker wouldn't comment further on the FOI results.
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Last month we told how Mr Bercow’s wife authorised spending £100,000 on Jo Malone candles and posh paint and furnishings at a state school.
Sally Bercow is a governor of the school, controversially named by her husband live on TV during a Commons Brexit debate.
He was blasted for bringing up his kids’ school when telling Cabinet minister Michael Gove to be quiet.
Its £260,000-a-year head spent £6,200 on Jo Malone Candles, £15,000 on luxury Farrow & Ball paint and £80,300 on carpets and furniture. All spending is overseen by the governors.
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