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Parliament was hit by a new expenses storm today after it emerged that 60 MPs went on a £70,000 spending spree to buy new iPads, iPhones and laptops just months before the General Election.

The Commons expenses watchdog was so concerned at the use of public money that it challenged the MPs over the “significant” capital expenditure.

Former Cabinet minister Peter Hain claimed nearly £2,000 for an iPad, iPhone and new PC, according to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

It wrote to 60 MPs, demanding assurances that the equipment was “exclusively and necessarily” needed to carry out parliamentary duties.

Some MPs sent back angry letters, taking exception at the questioning of their purchases, which were made last September after IPSA said restrictions on buying IT equipment would come into force at the end of the month.

IPSA concluded that the expenditure was within the rules. But it advised MPs who were standing down or have not be re-elected to donate the devices to charity after May 7, while admitting that it could not force them to do this.

The watchdog is now to review the rules governing capital expenditure and change them “where necessary”.

An IPSA spokesman said: “Having looked into these claims we are satisfied that they are within the rules. The total value of the purchases for all MPs in September amounts to £71,216.48.

“Peter Hain bought an iPad, iPhone and new PC in September. The total value of those purchases was £1,907.90.”

Mr Hain said all his claims were within the rules.

The former welsh secretary is reported to have previously said the items were to replace broken kit.

There is no evidence to suggest any wrongdoing on his behalf.

But the revelation that so many MPs were ordering IT equipment before a moratorium came into force — which would have required them to get prior approval for purchases — sparked criticism.

Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said: “It still seems to show it’s difficult to trust MPs on expenses matters. They seem to want to stretch the rules beyond what they were intended to provide.”

Andy Silvester, campaign director of the Taxpayer’s Alliance, said: “IPSA must strengthen the rules and MPs should be obliged to hand back these expensive gadgets when they leave Westminster so that fears of another spending spree in five years are allayed.”

In guidance to new MPs, IPSA warned that expenses they wish to claim for had to be “evidenced” — so they should keep receipts. They can apply for an IPSA payment card, a Barclaycard credit card, to use for “allowable expenses”.

IPSA said details of their expenses would be published every two months on its website.