The former leader of the Scottish Conservatives has raised eyebrows after spending almost £25,000 in House of Lords expenses in just one calendar year.
Ruth Davidson had made the claims despite making just four speeches and asking only two questions during that time.
The House of Lords website has released figures that have revealed that Davidson claimed £24,521 in expenses over a 12 month period following her appointment in July 2021.
When Davidson took up the role of the Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links she is understood to have made only 32 Lords appearances. A majority of Lords do not earn a wage for their role but are allowed to claim expenses.
READ MORE: Much loved Edinburgh bistro announces sudden closure as locals left devastated
The breakdown for claims for members of the House of Lords is that they are able to get £323 a day for attending as well as getting travel costs covered.
However they are also able to get a lower claim rate of £162 or they do not need to claim expenses at all, the Daily Record reports.
The former Scottish Tory leader claimed over £4,000 for one month and more than £3,000 for three other months. Davidson also got more than £2,000 for two months' work.
Her largest claim was found to be February 2022 when she received £4,315 for seven attendances - however she did not make any speeches during this span and asked only one question.
She also claimed £3,876 for showing up five times, making one speech and not asking any questions in May 2022. March 2022 saw her receive £3,379 for five attendances but made just one speech that month.
Despite making no speeches and asking zero questions in June 2022, the Lord was still able to claim £3,296 for her four attendances. In September 2021, Davidson also got £1,266 for two attendances but making no speeches and asking no questions.
Davidson was the Scottish Tory leader from November 2011 until August 2019. Originally elected as a list MSP for Glasgow in 2011, she later won the Edinburgh Central seat in 2016.
After stepping down as a member of the Scottish Parliament in 2021, Davidson was made a life peer in the House of Lords two months later.
The latest expenses data has led to SNP politicians arguing that the House of Lords should be scrapped. SNP Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Tommy Sheppard said: "I think most ordinary people will struggle to see how that is value for money.
"A further reason, if one is needed, why the whole edifice needs scrapped. And clearly, the best way to do that is for Scotland to become an independent country and start afresh."
Last month the Daily Record revealed that more than £10,500 had been spent on sparkling wine in House of Lords restaurants in the three months following Liz Truss' disastrous mini-budget.
More than 300 bottles of sparkling wine were sold between September 22 and January 8. The mini-budget was announced on September 23 and resulted in an economic disaster for the UK.
The Scottish Conservatives were contacted for comment.
READ NEXT-
Edinburgh residents spot Northern Lights as spectacular illuminates capital sky
Scottish plane passenger upset as person next to her tucks into rack of barbecue ribs
Popular Edinburgh cafe issues sad statement due to 'rising food and energy costs'
Rod Stewart adds extra Edinburgh Castle date due to phenomenal ticket demand
Australian tourist in Edinburgh baffled after noticing security guard at McDonald's
