The MP for Mid-Worcestershire said he has never claimed on expenses for Christmas parties and does not intend to do so.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has told MPs for the first time they can expense the cost of food and drink for Christmas staff parties to taxpayers, although alcohol will not be covered.

Nigel Huddleston MP said that expenses should not be used to claim for Christmas parties.

Mr Huddleston said: "I have never claimed on expenses for Christmas parties with parliamentary staff and do not intend to do so.

"All expenses by MPs need to be declared and are available for everyone to see.

"MPs' expenses cover such things as Parliamentary staff wages, travel and accommodation, IT and office stationery.”

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The watchdog recently apologised after MPs complained it had given the impression they had been “clamouring” to put food, refreshments and decorations for an office party on expenses.

Some MPs received abuse in the wake of the guidance, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority said.

Ipsa said after issuing the guidance around Christmas spend, a number of MPs got in touch to say “they have never made such claims in the past and have no intention of doing so in the future”.

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Ian Todd, the watchdog’s chief executive, said: “We got the messaging wrong by allowing the impression to form that this is what MPs were wanting to do, rather than our interpretation of the discretion available under the existing rules.

“We are an independent body and we make our own decisions but, occasionally, like everyone, we make mistakes.

“I would like to apologise to those MPs and their staff who have had to deal with phone calls, emails and, in some cases, abuse as a result of our guidance. They did not write the guidance or influence its contents.

“In issuing it, we also failed to recognise the public mood at a time of severe economic and financial pressures. I am sorry for that.”

Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, and Harriett Baldwin, MP for West-Worcestershire, have also both said they will not and have not claimed on expenses for Christmas parties.