Watchdog apologises for saying MPs’ Christmas party costs are claimable

Labour and Tory MPs welcomed Ipsa’s statement, and Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson said the PM would not have used the allowance in any case. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

The MPs’ expenses watchdog has apologised for telling parliamentarians they could claim back some costs for Christmas parties.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), a body created largely as a response to the MPs’ expenses scandal in 2009, had been widely criticised for its initial decision.