Bill includes a £1,130 robe for Commons Speaker John Bercow, while £4,125 went on his Assistant Secretary’s court coat, waistcoat and breeches
Bizarre ceremonial uniforms worn by Parliament’s “men
in tights” have cost taxpayers more than £26,000 in a year.
And the Deputy and Assistant Serjeant at Arms spent almost £8,000 between them on old fashioned clobber including glitzy shoe buckles, white gloves, wig bags and jabots – frilly ties.
Uniforms for 37 doorkeepers cost £8,472, another £475 went on “refurbishing” wigs for associate table clerks and £262 went on nine pairs of stockings for the Serjeant at Arms, a Freedom of Information request revealed.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance blasted the huge bill.
Campaign Director Robert Oxley said: “Taxpayers will hardly think spending tens of thousands on robes and tights is a sensible use of their cash.
“Mr Speaker and his cohorts should reuse the old fashioned regalia rather than blowing so much at a time when Parliament should be minding every penny.”
A Commons spokesman defended the expense, saying it covered more than 50 staff. He said: “Ceremonial dress provides clarity about people’s roles. We recycle whenever possible.”
The shopping list
Assistant Secretary Court coat & waistcoat £3,050Assistant Secretary Breeches £1,075
Mr Speaker Robe £1,130
Trainbearer Breeches £1,075
Parliamentary Estates Director Uniform hire £264
Craft Team Uniform hire £564
Deputy Serjeant at Arms 1 x Court Coat & Waistcoat £2,316.67
Deputy Serjeant at Arms 1 x Breeches £808.33
Deputy Serjeant at Arms 1 x Shoes £195.83
Assistant Serjeant at Arms 1 x Court Coat £1,916.67
Assistant Serjeant at Arms 1 x Skirt £541.67
Assistant Serjeant at Arms 1 x Shoe Buckles £82.50
Associate Table Clerks Repair and refurbishment of 5 wigs £474.96
Clerk of the Journals Trousers and alterations to Table dress £865
Associate Table Clerk Bow tie £29.50
Associate Table Clerk Spare waistcoat buttons £9.00
Clerk of the House Shirts, hose and stock £379.99
Mirror
