Copies of invoices for claims made by John Lamont MP

I can confirm that we hold information relevant to your request.

The rules governing what MPs may claim for are set out in The Scheme of MPs’ Staffing and Business Costs. Chapter 7 of the Scheme details the costs which may be claimed under Staffing Costs.

The claims were in relation made in relation to bought-in-services, for ease I have copied the relevant part of the scheme below:

7.3 The staffing budget may be used to meet the following costs:

c. payments for bought-in services, where staffing services are provided by companies, self employed individuals and others not on the MP’s payroll;

Copies of the receipts have been provided as an attachment to the email accompanying this letter. Some information has been redacted and is subject to a refusal notice under section 31 of the FOIA, and in accordance with Section C of IPSA’s Publication Policy.

Section 31(1)(a) – law enforcement

This exemption applies where the disclosure of information would or would be likely to prejudice the prevention of crime.

IPSA relies on this exemption to withhold the banking details of suppliers and other transactional references.

IPSA believes that the disclosure of these details could leave those concerned more vulnerable to financial crime, in particular fraud and electronic crime, especially with the increase in cyber-attacks.

This exemption is subject to a public interest test.

IPSA does not consider that the withholding of this information has a negative impact on the understanding of these claims.

We therefore find that the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this time.