Welsh Tory leader pays back his iPod
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has paid back the public money he used to by an iPod and made a donation to charity.
But Nick Bourne and his Tory colleague Alun Cairns – who also had to pay back public money – both insisted they had not broken any rules.
“Although the purchase of these iPods was within the rules of the assembly and authorised by the Fees Office, I recognise the perception that this expenditure was inappropriate,” said Mr Bourne.
“Alun Cairns and I have decided therefore to reimburse the National Assembly for these items in addition to the charitable donations we have made.
“We apologise to the people of Wales and look forward to the results of Sir Roger Jones’ inquiry into Assembly Members allowances.”
The inquiries’ findings are upcoming, but Mr Bourne said the Tories would be instigating their own tough set of rules around expenses.
As well as the iPod, he also spent £120 on a trouser press and £5,000 on his bathroom.
Mr Bourne, who claimed he bought the iPod to learn Welsh, donated £250 to the NSPCC.
