Newly appointed Shadow Transport Secretary, Gareth Bacon, claimed expenses to cover the cost of Remembrance Sunday wreaths, billing taxpayers £55 for two wreaths. Bacon’s recent appointment by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch aims to strengthen the party’s standing after recent election setbacks.
£55 Wreath Claim Draws Attention
Rather than paying out of pocket, Bacon charged £55 for two wreaths, sourced from the Royal British Legion. Though no rules were broken, the claim has drawn attention, given Bacon’s vocal stance on expenses in the past. According to records from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), Bacon made the claim in October last year. Bacon’s wife, Cheryl Bacon, a Conservative councillor, currently works for Badenoch, who was chosen as Tory leader over rival Robert Jenrick earlier this month.
Bacon’s Record on Expenses and Public Statements
During Remembrance Sunday last November, Bacon was photographed laying a wreath at Orpington War Memorial. He later shared the event on Facebook, saying, “Remembrance weekend – A well-attended and moving wreath-laying ceremony at Orpington War Memorial this morning. Orpington did them proud.”
In October 2023, he submitted an expense claim stating “2 x wreaths from RBL for Remembrance Sunday” costing £55. Just a year prior, in November 2022, he had publicly criticised MPs who use taxpayer funds for personal events. Sharing a newspaper headline on the issue, he posted, “No MP asked for this, and no MP should use it. It’s a ridiculous decision by IPSA. I will not be hosting any parties paid for by taxpayers.”
IPSA’s Stance on Remembrance Wreath Expenses
An IPSA spokesperson stated, “MPs are given reasonable discretion to use their office costs budget for parliamentary work. If an MP lays a wreath in their role as a constituency representative, the cost can be reimbursed as office expenses. However, if it falls outside parliamentary duties, it would not qualify as a business expense.” Bacon and the Conservative Party were contacted for comment.
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