A ROW broke out this week over Parliamentary expenses claims made by local MP Rachel Gilmour, which included recovering the cost of a birthday card she sent to a centenarian.

Other claims made by Mrs Gilmour, who earns slightly under £94,000 as an MP, included £2.75 for ‘hospitality’ in Tiverton Golf Club.

The claims were revealed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) via a Freedom of Information question from Exmoor farmer and political campaigner James Wright.

Mr Wright, chairman of the Conservative South West Rural Forum, received copies of receipts submitted by Mrs Gilmour for £5.50 for ‘beverages’, £5.50 for the birthday card, and £11.81 for ‘subsistence’ which included a halloumi wrap and half-a-pint of Thatchers Haze cider.

However, IPSA rejected the cider as ‘not allowable’.

Mrs Gilmour represents the Tiverton and Minehead constituency, which covers West Somerset and Exmoor, a number of parishes bordering on Wellington, and parts of the Blackdown Hills and Culm Valley.

Mr Wright said: “At a time when the public are struggling with the cost of living, people will be rightly angry to learn that an MP on over £90,000 a year is claiming expenses for meals out and drinks at a golf club.”

“Like Labour, the Liberal Democrats are very good at spending other people’s money.

“If she was serious about service, she would pay it back.”

A spokesperson for Mrs Gilmour said: “Within the role of a Member of Parliament, there are many expenses which would be considered reasonable to claim for, as per IPSA guidelines.

“Rachel Gilmour has accurately logged her expenses with IPSA, and where appropriate those have been paid.

“Conservative Party commentators are in no position to criticise hard working MPs with their legacy of frittering away taxpayers’ money by the Conservative Governments of Johnson and Truss.”