CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride is one of more than 100 politicians who have been criticised for renting their constituency offices from their own local political party with taxpayers' money.

On November 14, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) published details of MPs' office leases as the first step of a review flagged earlier this year into how IPSA provides support for MPs to rent office accommodation.

Mr Stride has been renting his office from the Central Devon Conservative Association since August 31, 2010. Members of parliament are allowed to rent office space from their parties, as long as they can provide an independent quote which will demonstrate that they are being charged a market rate.

However, critics have condemned the practice, arguing that those who do it are using taxpayers' money to boost funding for their re-election campaigns.

Jonathan Isaby, political director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It's one thing if a local political party offers their MP and staff free use of a desk or an office, but quite another for it to be sending taxpayers an annual invoice for thousands of pounds. Often this is space that would not in any case be available to anyone else on commercial terms.

'The practice of MPs renting space from those who also donate money to the MP or their party should also set alarm bells ringing.

'It's effectively a back-door subsidy to political parties that is exploiting an allowance meant to assist MPs in their work serving their constituents, not boost the coffers of their re-election campaign.'

IPSA's chair, Sir Ian Kennedy, said transparency was at the heart of IPSA's role.

'Since we began, IPSA has published every business cost and expense claim by every MP,' said Sir Kennedy.

'Many MPs hire offices for their staff to work in and in which to meet constituents. It is right that we support them to do so. But we also think it is in the public interest to publish where that money goes.

'We established the current rules after listening carefully to the public. I think it is only right that we ask the public what they think if we decide those rules need amendment. Our rules allow MPs to rent from a political party – but we require an extra assurance from MPs if they do so: an independent valuation that the lease represents the market rate. We are confident that this measure means taxpayers have received value for money from these leases.

'The analysis shows that a third of all leases are with political parties. As part of a broad review of accommodation support, IPSA will consider whether, even if the individual leases are appropriate, the cumulative effect means we need to reconsider this aspect of the rules.'

Mr Stride's office issued the following statement: 'Mr Stride's constituency office rent has been fully agreed by the independent parliamentary expenses watchdog, IPSA and provides excellent value to the taxpayer.

'His claim of £3,264.30 includes the rent, business rates, electricity and water charges. The average for MPs renting from their association is £14,886 and for those who rent from elsewhere £14,156 - Mr Stride's office rent is less than a quarter of these amounts.'