ROMSEY’S MP has hit back in a row over the use of her constituency office in the town.

Sandra Gidley has dismissed as “clutching at straws” suggestions some of her budget for the Love Lane facility may have gone towards campaigning costs for her Liberal Democrat party.

And she has vowed that details of expenditure at the constituency office will be available for inspection when they are released shortly.

It follows questions over how funding for the headquarters is divided up between the MP’s allowance, which comes from taxpayers’ money, and the party’s own funds.

A letter written to the Romsey Advertiser from reader, Chris Wesson, said: “As her Love Lane office seems to double up as campaign headquarters for the Liberal Democrats, I think we are entitled to know just how much the Romsey Liberal Democrats have contributed for their use of Mrs Gidley’s constituency office, since the General Election.

“What are the costs of her Love Lane operation since the last General Election and what proportion has been paid for by us the taxpayers and what proportion by the Liberal Democrats?”

The comments come just months after Mrs Gidley was forced to defend her expenses and allowances claims after she was revealed as one of Hampshire’s costliest MPs.

Statistics published by the Commons authorities earlier this year showed that she had claimed a total of £159,636 in 2007-8.

On that occasion, she said money had been spent on extra cover for staff sickness and that the outlay on postage alone demonstrated the hard work in responding to constituents.

A spokesman for the MP said the latest criticism was “clutching at straws” and that the Lib Dem party paid for its own promotional activity.

The spokesman said: “Any activity for promoting the party is paid for by the party, otherwise the office is used for promoting her and is paid for out of her budget.

“She is more than happy for people to look at (details of the costs) when the allowances are published shortly.”

* Meanwhile, it has been claimed that Tories in Romsey were concerned about how voters would react to a visit from a shadow cabinet minister.

Leaked e-mails written by Tory activists suggested a visit to the town from Andrew Lansley could have a “negative effect” amid recent stories about his expenses.

When the shadow health minister did come to the town last week, he said he had not been made aware of any complaints made about his visit.

He also denies accusations in the national press that he “flipped” homes – but has vowed to pay back £2,600 expenses.