HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope claimed expenses for a £1,590 shopping spree in John Lewis and £560 for two abstract paintings for his home, it has been revealed.

The Labour backbencher this week expressed his "regret" over the purchases; in his Observer column he apologises to Hyndburn taxpayers for the expenses scandal.

His expenses were revealed in the national Sunday Telegraph newspaper as part of its ongoing coverage of MPs’ expenses.

In March 2006, Mr Pope claimed £1,590 for a shopping spree in John Lewis which included a flat screen TV, linen, crockery and other household goods.

And in September 2006, the MP claimed £560 for two paintings.

He claimed £22,211 for his London second home between 2007-08, according to the national newspaper.

Mr Pope, who earns £64,766 a year, said: "As soon as I bought the paintings I realised I made a mistake and started the process to repay the money I had claimed.

"I moved my second property about three years ago and the items from John Lewis were for that home. I realise this announcement looks terrible especially in the current recession but, like many others have said, I haven’t broken the rules; the fund is there to help you pay for furniture for your second home. I regret buying all those items and I can assure you I would have released this information with my other expense claims before the House of Commons intends to do so in a month."

The leader of Hyndburn Council, Councillor Peter Britcliffe, said: "I think the whole affair has been very disturbing and I have seen the huge public anger these exposés have caused.

"I think people will make their own minds up when they hear about these expense claims. In my opinion there needs to be much tighter restrictions for expenses for MPs and they should be brought more into line with those of councillors. However I am not sure the public would have heard about Mr Pope’s expense claims had they not been exposed by the papers."