MPs spent £70,000 on new phones and laptops six months before election

Some 60 MPs spent a total of more than £70,000 on new iPads, iPhones and laptops six months before the general election, prompting the expenses watchdog to write to parliamentarians expressing their concern.

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

Ipsa wrote to those involved to seek assurances that they were using the equipment exclusively for parliamentary duties.

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.