Tourism minister Barbara Follett has had her expense claims brought to light by a national newspaper.
The Daily Telegraph, which has outed a number of claims made by both Labour and Tory politicians, reported over the weekend that Follett claimed £25,411.64 for security patrols between 2004 and 2008 outside her second home in Soho, London.
The paper reported that Follett justified the need for the patrols and the upkeep of both CCTV monitors and a burglar alarm system due to safety concerns, as she had been both mugged and followed by a stalker.
The paper also reported Follett had claimed £528.75 to repair and clean a Chinese needlepoint rug, but was only paid back £300 after the cost was deemed excessive.
The tourism minister said the claim had been made in error.