MPs splashed thousands on new Apple products just before an expenses deadline passed

MPs spent £70,000 on new new iPads, iPhones and laptops shortly before an expenses deadline passed six months before the election.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) wrote to parliamentarians expressing their concern and sought to ensure they were using the products exclusively for parliamentary duties.

The 60 MPs ordered the equipment before claiming expenses for it shortly before the moratorium on capital purchases began in September. The watchdog has concluded that no rules were broken.

However, it recommended that those who were retiring or who lost on 7 May should donate the technology to charity, but said it had no power to enforce this.

Therefore Ipsa says it will now consider a tightening of the rules for MPs who are standing down or do not get re-elected.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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