NEWCASTLE EAST LABOUR MP IS MOST EXPENSIVE IN NORTH EAST

Newcastle East MP Nick Brown is the most expensive Member of Parliament in the region.

Mr Brown claimed a total of £149,640 during 2007-8, according to information released by Parliament.

His total of more than £101,000 on office staff was the 10th highest overall nationally.

Councillor Greg Stone, who will take on the Labour MP at the next election, said: "I do not intend to join the witch-hunt currently raging over MP expenses, as I think most sensible people realise that to do the job effectively MP s ought to be able to claim for reasonable and legitimate travel, accommodation, and administrative expenses.

"However, I am concerned that there is a growing perception of extravagance at a time when the average person in the North East is beset by rising living costs and concern over their jobs and mortgages.

"Whilst I do not object to properly recorded expense claims, backed up by a rigorous spot-check audit system, I feel that MPs have an obligation to their constituents to ensure that they do not over-burden the public purse.

"For this reason I am somewhat concerned that Mr Brown seems to be spending considerably more on support staff than other North East members, and would question whether a bill of more than £100,000 for administrative support is value for money when other Tyneside Labour MPs are claiming as little as £62,000."