DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson has repaid £555 to the House of Commons’ fees office after charging dozens of pay-to-view movies to the tax payer.

The former junior minister made claims for 68 pay-to-view movies at London hotels where he stayed in 2004 and 2005, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Under the rules, he was allowed to use his second home allowance to pay for items “wholly, exclusively and necessarily” relating to parliamentary duties.

The claims were paid by the fees office, which has come under fire after a series of damaging disclosures in the Daily Telegraph for meeting MPs’ often unlikely and expensive claims.

He is now to repay costs relating to room service, mini-bars and entertainment from hotel stays, amounting to £678.90.

Details of Mr Donaldson's claims were published in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday.

The newspaper quoted sources in the hotels who said the movies watched by Mr Donaldson were in the highest price category, made up of recent box office smashes and adult movies.

In a statement to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Donaldson said he had not watched anything adult or pornographic. “Such material was not viewed on the date alleged, or at all,” he said.

His hotel bills made reference to “room service 2”. Asked by the Daily Telegraph what the reference meant, John McBurney, Mr Donaldson’s solicitor, said: “Clearly, it is impossible to be precise in relation to each and every item.

“However, it would have been common practice to have used pay TV, including internet access and other media services.”

First Minister Peter Robinson said: “Mr Donaldson has been asked to pay back any expenses which have not been properly incurred and I understand that he intends to do so.

“In the light of his categorical denials, Mr Donaldson is clearly entitled to a presumption of innocence.”

Film prices ranged from £7.50 at the Marriot, County Hall, to £14.95 at the Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow Airport.

He was also billed for 30 films at £7.95 each during stays at the Jolly Hotel St Ermine near Westminster and claimed on four occasions for £9.95, the cost of watching a film at Hilton Hotels.

In 2004 and 2005, the MP stayed in London for two or three nights a week. In 2005, he bought a flat in south London with fellow DUP MP Sammy Wilson, and the hotel claims ceased.

The MP denied watching any content of an adult or pornographic nature.

Belfast Telegraph