An MP has been rapped for using taxpayer-funded pre-paid envelopes and Commons notepaper to send invites to his birthday bash.
Tory Andrew Rosindell sent 250 invitations on the headed paper, with about 30 in Parliamentary envelopes.
He argued it was not a private party but a community event at his constituency office, named Margaret Thatcher House, in Romford, east London.
But he was ordered to repay £42.86 by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Kathryn Stone.
The scolding follows criticism in 2009 for claiming £125,000 in second home expenses for a London flat, while designating his boyhood home 17 miles away as his main address.
He said his workload meant he needed a base nearer the Commons.
Ms Stone found Mr Rosindell breached the MPs’ code of conduct over his 53rd birthday bash in March, which also celebrated St Patrick’s day.
He had said: “This was not my private birthday party.
“That was next day with family and friends in London.”
He said those invited in Romford all represented the local community, including church, faith and youth groups, charities and businesses.
But Ms Stone said: “I do not agree this was a community event connected with Parliamentary activity.”
Mr Rosindell said: “My apologies to the Standards Committee for any breach of rules that may have occurred.”
