MP Harry Cohen billed the taxpayer £2,000 for a luxury bath and over £100-a-month for cleaning products, it has emerged.

Receipts relating to expenses claims in the 12 months up to March this year, show the honourable member for Leyton received thousands of pounds of public money for decorating, refurbishing and maintaining a house in Wanstead.

Mr Cohen was able to claim the Additional Cost Allowance (ACA) by telling authorities the property was not his main residence but was necessary for him to carry out his Westminster duties.

Details released by Parliament show how much Mr Cohen, who was consistently one of the highest ACA claimants in London, was prepared to milk the expenses system.

He tried to charge the taxpayer £6,200 for the refurbishment of a bathroom, including £2000 for a luxury bath, despite an amount of £3,700 being previously agreed.

The taxpayer eventually paid £4,200 for the work. Mr Cohen claimed an astonishing £1360 a year for cleaning products, which included Waitrose Organic Energising handwash, aquatic plant food, patio cleaner and bin freshner.

But a £36 claim for shower gel was turned down on the grounds that it is classified as a personal item. The receipts also reveal taxpayers covered Mr Cohen’s £700-a-month mortgage interest on the property.

The MP has announced he will be stepping down after 26 years of representing the constituency at the next election due to the stress caused by the expenses scandal.

Labour has yet to choose his successor as the selection process was suspended due to evidence of as yet unspecified membership irregularities. The constituency is believed to be the only one in London without a Labour candidate.

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