LOCAL MP Rachel Gilmour has defended putting a pair of earplugs on her Parliamentary expenses to be paid for by taxpayers.

Mrs Gilmour claimed £123.16 for a custom made set of the hearing protectors from award-winning West Somerset firm Snugs, which is also contracted to supply the Hinkley Point nuclear power site.

But, a spokesperson for Mrs Gilmour’s office said: “Rachel regularly visits high noise environments in the constituency, from power plants to building sites, where she has been advised to follow the on-site protocol of wearing ear defenders.

“Rachel takes health and safety advice incredibly seriously, and will always follow protocol.”

Mrs Gilmour’s Tiverton and Minehead constituency covers most of West Somerset and Exmoor and takes in parts of the Blackdown Hills and Culm Valley and a number of parishes bordering Wellington.

The expenses claim was highlighted by Exmoor farmer and Conservative South West Rural Forum chairman James Wright.

Mr Wright questioned the need for high-end, custom-fit hearing protection, which included an attenuated filter and a ‘pop-off’ lanyard made by a custom-fit specialist, why an off-the-shelf product was not suitable, and how often the earplugs might be needed for constituency business.

He said Mrs Gilmour had faced public scrutiny only a year ago when she tried to charge taxpayers for a pub lunch consisting of a halloumi wrap, chips, and a half-pint of cider.

Mr Wright said on that occasion the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) rejected the claim, but it had accepted the earplugs.

He said: “Given her history of trying to expense a pub lunch and a cider, the public has a right to be sceptical of every penny that is put on the taxpayer's tab.

“I am asking for immediate clarification on the Parliamentary necessity of these custom earplugs.

“In what specific professional capacity is Ms Gilmour working that requires ‘ShieldWork’ certified protection?”