I was absolutely incensed after reading The Insider on May 27, concerning the drinks bills at the House of Commons bar.

It is bad enough that MPs have a subsidised bar when all their constituents have to pay full price, but they are also allowed to run up a bill.

I am sure most of these half-pint shandy buyers don’t drink all of the time, so how can Evan Harris possibly have run up a bill for £155.50?

I was still reeling from this when I read that Khalid Mahmood owed £8,200!

Is this the same Khalid Mahmood who was mentioned in the expenses scandal last year?

Why aren’t the MPs invoiced monthly and their account closed if not paid up?

Once again the utter contempt shown by MPs, and abuse of their privileges, knows no bounds.

To use Mr Mahmood’s kidney problems as an excuse was an insult to all of us sufferers throughout the country.

I have had three heart attacks, a transplant, and I am now suffering from a neurological problem, but I don’t use my illness as an excuse. And if I tried, the debt collectors would be set upon on me. But, then again, I live in the real world.

John J Monaghan

Cotman Close

Abingdon