As the MPs’ expenses row rumbles on, Stockton South MP Dari Taylor invites Neil Macfarlane to examine her accounts, and says she regrets that her constituents will think she’s been greedy

THE Labour MP for Stockton South is busy. She has three cardboard boxes full of petitions for a new school in Ingleby Barwick, which need to be delivered to the schools minister, Jim Knight. Before that, she’s trying to get a place at another school in her constituency for a bullied child, and talks at length on the phone to a senior council officer to try and sort it out.

In every call she makes, Dari Taylor refers to her embarrassment about her expenses revelations, whether the listener is aware of the ongoing scandal or not.

She has opened up her records to the press, but has not, as yet, featured in any of The Daily Telegraph’s investigations, and has not made the ten o’clock news.

Ms Taylor bought lunch and dinner almost every day for four years at the Westminster canteen. After being told that she could claim back £20 a day for any food bills while she was away from her Stockton home, she did so. It was within the rules.

When she realised that it cost £16,700 in tax payer’s money, she said sorry.

“I am feeling embarrassed. I followed the rules, but I should have stepped back and thought about it,” she says. “Could I have done that out of my salary? Yes I could have done. I am sorry I was far too slow to admit that.”

Her words, when I arrive at Westminster, on her invitation, to inspect her accounts are: “Welcome to the sin bin”.

She has just completed a hand-written note to a local school, wishing them luck for their forthcoming assembly. In less than an hour, the bells will ring for a vote in the chamber on a crucial policy bill, and she is still considering an inches-thick report on intelligence failings in the run up to the July 7 terrorist attacks.

There is constant activity in her office. A report in The Northern Echo earlier this year listed the number of debates, votes, and select committees each North-East MP took part in, and 64-year-old Ms Taylor was near the top of the table in almost every category. For the record, she was also near the top for expenses claimed.

“Like everyone else, I feel embarrassed,” she says. “In some people’s eyes, the reputation of Parliament will never recover. Some people have always been convinced that politicians are on the take, and this will reinforce that.

“The truth is we do everything, everything, we can to improve our constituents’ lives. We are here to make a better life for our constituents, but it now looks like we’re trying to construct a life that is better for ourselves.”

She begins to talk again about her own claims. “People will say I buy a lot of food, but it is two meals a day, each day.

“I have a sandwich, a yoghurt and a banana for lunch. Sometimes I have two bananas and half a sandwich if I am watching my diet.

“I have supper at night. Last night I had roast pork and the trimmings and it was £14. It is also £1.45 for a cup of coffee. I can spend £20 effortlessly.

I have eaten well for that, I would say that honestly.

“People take their expenses in all walks of life – I know, I worked in trade unions for eight years. But if you ask me if I think our expenses are over-generous, the straight answer is yes.

“I have a job that is supposed to be about leading the best, and helping people to achieve the best, but I’m being seen for the way in which I have claimed expenses, and now I’m seen as little more than greedy. It’s not just uncomfortable, it’s a totally unacceptable situation to be in. Perhaps I shouldn’t have claimed £20 a day. £20 a day, £100 a week, £400 a month – it’s a lot of money.

“That won’t be allowed in future because it won’t be part of the living allowance. We are earning a decent salary, we can pay for it ourselves.”

She points out that, in the past, MPs have been encouraged to take advantage. “When I came to Parliament, they told me that they wanted my home in London to be as pleasant and as comfortable as my own home, because I would be here half the week,” she recalls.

"I ASKED what the rules were. They said the only rule was to provide a secure and pleasant place for when I was away from home. We were even told not to send receipts, because they only had two men and a dog in the fees office to deal with them.”

It hurts her to think that people now see politicians as money-grabbers. She believes in what she’s doing, is sad that the scandal has damaged Parliament’s reputation, and is sorry for any part she played in it.

“Parliament is a lonely and aggressively competitive place. I do not have friends in London and I hate going back to an empty house,” she says.

“I work 50 hours most weeks. Sometimes I wish for a nine to six job. It’s a lot of work, over many hours. But it’s worth it when you’re sitting in the House and you get a policy through, and you feel you have made a difference. That is a real privilege. The advantages of being here are fantastic.

“If an expense is being offered, it is normal for people to accept it. But, at a certain point, you see the bill in the cold light of day and you realise you are being treated much better than other people.

“That has been brought home to us loud and clear now.”