MP blames flights for pounds172k expenses North Aberdeen MP Frank Doran has defended his record in the House of Commons.

North Aberdeen MP Frank Doran has defended his record in the Houseof Commons.

The Labour veteran came under fire for having the sixth highestexpenses of all Scots representatives in Westminster.

He charged pounds172,000 last year, blaming the high cost offlying between Aberdeen and London.

Two weeks ago the former Dundee solicitor was at the centre of astorm involving staff at the House of Commons.

They were appalled when Mr Doran - as chairman of the Commonsadministrative committee - ruled MPs had to have priority in foodqueues.

Meanwhile statistics from Hansard - the record of parliamentaryactivity - show that for the 2006-2007 session, which …