MP faces scrutiny over use of public funds to hire fellow councillor's business

Questions have been raised over transparency at Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds’ office after public money was used to pay a company run by a political colleague for printing services.

A freedom of information request by resident and former Tory councillor Marius Gilmore, who has previously criticised Mr Reynolds’ office, found £1,396 was spent on printing services at MDM Creative — a company jointly run by Lib Dem councillor and deputy mayor, Siân Martin.

The cost was filed as an expense relating to Mr Reynolds’ duties as MP.

It is acceptable for an MP to do this, provided they can demonstrate they have shopped around.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has rules to ensure MPs do not use their office to financially benefit people with whom they have a personal or political connection.

MPs ‘must be objective in their decisions’ about how they spend public money, including choice of suppliers of goods and services

They must be able to demonstrate value for money, decisions must not be ‘aimed at gaining financial benefits for themselves, their family, friends, political associates or other connected individuals’ and MPs must be able to show they have considered ‘perceived or real’ conflict of interest.

Mr Gilmore said he had asked the IPSA if it received any declarations of a potential conflict of interest, or demonstration of value for money relating to the services.

He said the IPSA’s reply that it did not hold the information was worrying and, even if Mr Reynolds’ office had privately shopped around, this was ‘irrelevant’.

“In public office, what is not documented cannot be verified,” he said. “The responsibility is on the MP to be able to demonstrate the basis on which public money was spent.

“At best this shows shockingly poor judgment. At worst, it creates the unmistakable impression that public money is being used to favour political allies.”

Mr Gilmore previously raised concerns over the leader of the council, Cllr Simon Werner, working for Mr Reynolds in the MP’s office, saying it blurred the lines between the MP and RBWM.

The pair replied at the time that the closer relationship between council and MP’s office was to the advantage of residents.

Mr Gilmore was also concerned about Mr Reynolds staying on as a councillor after his election as MP, while holding another publicly funded role on the Berkshire Pension Fund.

He said: “Residents expect honest, transparent use of public funds. Instead, we’re left with unanswered questions and a pattern of decisions that keep benefiting the MP’s own political circle.

“This isn’t just a lapse – it’s beginning to look like a systematic disregard for public accountability.”

A spokesperson for the office of Joshua Reynolds said: “All spending from Mr Reynolds’ office fully complies with IPSA rules and regulations, and proper procurement processes were followed in every case.

“The team obtained multiple quotes from different suppliers. MDM Creative was selected because they offered the most cost-effective price within the required timeframe for the work.

“The decision was made purely on value-for-money grounds and professional capability.

“At no point did any personal or political relationship influence this procurement decision.”