A POLITICIAN has hit back at accusations that he complained about not being allowed to claim Remembrance Day wreaths on his parliamentary expenses.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said the story that appeared in a national Sunday newspaper yesterday was a rehashed version of an article that first appeared six years ago.

He said the allegation that he submitted a parliamentary allowances claim for the cost of the wreaths was "simply not true" as soon to be released receipts would prove.

Mr Gray, chairman of the All Party Group for the Army, stated: "It is in fact a rehash of a very old newspaper story from 2003, when I put down a parliamentary question to ask the then Leader of the House of Commons, Peter Hain, whether or not wreaths laid by MPs in their official capacity were regarded as an official expense.

"He replied that they were not, as a result of which I have not and would not, claim for them."

The report claimed he complained that he was £60 down as a result of buying three wreaths to lay at war memorials within the constituency.

An angry Mr Gray added: "I particularly resent the implication that I am somehow or another not supportive of the Royal British Legion or our servicemen and women.

"I served for seven years in the Territorial Army and am Chairman of the All Party Group for the Army.

"I have visited our troops on several occasions in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and I myself am a member of the Royal British Legion, alongside whom I am proud to stand on Wootton Bassett High Street during the all too regular repatriations of the bodies of our fallen servicemen."