Tory pledges to repay stables heating bill

A Tory MP has apologised and promised to repay part of a £5,822.27 expenses claim for his energy bills – after it emerged taxpayers were paying for the electricity supply to his stables.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Nov 2013, 00:01 BST

Nadhim Zahawi, a founder of market research firm YouGov, said he was “mortified” to discover the error which came to light after he was among politicians criticised over subsidised energy bills.

The Stratford on Avon MP claimed the most, with a bill totalling £5,822.27 to cover electricity and heating oil for his estate in Warwickshire.

In a statement posted on his website, he said: “On investigation I have discovered that the electricity supply for a mobile home located in the stable yard and for the stables themselves was linked to my house.

“Whilst a meter was installed in the stable yard I have only been receiving one bill, it was wrong to assume I was receiving two and to have not checked this sooner.

“I am mortified by this mistake and apologise unreservedly for it.

“I will obviously be paying back any money that was wrongly claimed immediately.”

Nadhim Zahawi Warwickshire