British MPs spent £70k on iPads and laptops

Scores of British MPs spent £70,000 (€97,000) on new iPads, iPhones and laptops six months before the UK general election, prompting the expenses watchdog to write to parliamentarians expressing their concern.

The 60 MPs ordered the equipment before claiming expenses for it shortly before a moratorium came into force on such purchases six months before the election, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) said.

Ipsa wrote to those involved to seek assurances that they were using the equipment exclusively for parliamentary duties, which caused some of the MPs to take exception to the request and write back.

The watchdog concluded that no rules had been broken but advised MPs who were standing down or were defeated in the election to donate the devices to charity after May 7, but admitted it had no power to enforce this.

Ipsa will also now consider a tightening of the rules governing MPs who are standing down or do not get re-elected.