TalkTV stars slam Lindsay Hoyle’s ‘outrageous’ expenses report in on-air eruption

The spending habits of Commons Speaker have come under severe criticism after a report revealed he spent more than £180,000 of taxpayers’ money on flights in just two years, with some costs soaring to £900 per night for accommodations. This revelation has ignited a fierce debate on , where pundits slammed these expenditures as “outrageous” and an “abuse of taxpayers’ money.”

TalkTV highlighted the extent of the spending, emphasising the lavish nature of Sir Lindsay’s travel arrangements, which include first-class flights, limousine hires, and stays at five-star resorts. “Labour Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s expenses reveal he blew more than £180,000 of taxpayers’ money on flights in just two years,” Kevin O’Sullivan slammed, adding” “£900 per room – per night! This is an outrageous abuse of taxpayers’ money.” Tim Montogomerie, Founder of Conservative Home, expressed his disdain live on TalkTV, questioning the choice of destinations.

“This is beyond the pail; this is, I think, wonton waste of taxpayers’ money. Also, why does it seem to be Caribbean Islands he’s visiting? Why is it never trips to Slovakia or Belgium or some place where they don’t have golden beaches as well?”

The details of Sir Lindsay’s travels paint a picture of continuous luxury. The Speaker’s expenses show consistent preferences for upscale travel accommodations, even for short-haul trips to places like Dublin and Italy.

Remarkably, he chartered a private plane for a trip to Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory, further escalating the costs.

During a trip to Los Angeles in February 2023, Sir Lindsay managed to accrue more than £3,000 in expenses on chauffeur-driven cars alone.

Additionally, a simple meal and drinks at the five-star Hotel Due Torri in Verona cost £400, and the accommodation for the G7 Speakers’ Conference was £630 a night.

Comparatively, John Bercow, his predecessor, accrued a similar amount over a decade, earning Sir Lindsay the moniker “long-haul Hoyle” for his frequent and expensive travels.

John O’Connell from the TaxPayers’ Alliance has criticised these spending patterns, suggesting that “Sir Lindsay’s life of luxury is looking increasingly unsustainable, given the stratospheric credit card bills he’s tapping up taxpayers for… It’s possible to travel in comfort at a much lower cost than this.”

Releasing a statement in his own defence, a spokesperson for Sir Lindsay said: “The Speaker is an ambassador for the House of Commons and has a responsibility to explain and promote the work of the House, and to represent it at high-profile state events and inter-Parliamentary conferences.”