Disgraced MP Fiona Onasanya spent £10,000 of taxpayers’ cash on hotels in seven months
The politician, who was convicted last week for perverting the course of justice, could face jail after lying about who was driving her car
SPEEDING rap liar Fiona Onasanya spent £9,607 of taxpayers’ money on hotels in just seven months.
The ex-Labour whip’s “eye-watering” spend is 19 times more than her Peterborough MP predecessor, Tory Stewart Jackson, who claimed £518 for a whole year.
Ms Onasanya was convicted last week of perverting justice. She could face jail for lying about who was driving her car.
The 35-year-old, who lives in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, stays in London for work — believed to be up to four nights a week.
Ms Onasanya made eight £600 claims for hotel stays, according to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, although it is not clear how many nights this was for. Records show nine entries for £450. The smallest was for £150.
MP accommodation claims have a £150-a-night limit.
Staying in a central London Airbnb costs £340 for four nights. The Premier Inn would have set taxpayers back £450. Her £9,607 bill covers June 2017 to last January.
Tory Nigel Evans said: “These are eye-watering figures. How on Earth did she manage to rack up that huge bill in such a short time? I’m amazed she’s still a Member of Parliament.”
Since January Ms Onasanya has brought her accommodation spending under control, and has spent £2,500 renting a flat for the past four months.
Her spokesman said: “All claims were processed by IPSA as they came within the £150-per-night limit.”
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Ms Onasanya had the Labour whip withdrawn after lying to police about driving a car clocked at 41mph in a 30 zone in Cambridgeshire. She will be sentenced in the new year.
She has compared her situation to that of Jesus Christ after his conviction.
Now an independent MP, she could lose her seat if jailed for more than a year.
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