South Staffordshire Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack used public money to buy a £329 TV, £350 reading lamps and a £200 radio for his rented second home in London, it was revealed today.

He also claimed more than £1,000 a month in rent for the property.

The MP, elected in 1970, said the purchases were made to replace old items.

“I truly believe that I have acted entirely within both the letter and the spirit of the rules,” he said.

“My wife and I furnished our London home long before allowances became available, and so the only small items that I have claimed have been replacements.

“I’ve always had the belief an MP’s main home should be in the constituency and that any London base should be rented if the allowance is used – and ever since the allowance came in I have always rented in London – so no questions of making a profit at the taxpayers’ expense has ever arisen,” he said. “Every item of expenditure has been approved by the fees office. Full details will be available when the allowances are published,” he added.