Veterans’ groups protested yesterday after it emerged that MSPs are to be allowed to bill the taxpayer for the cost of Remembrance Day wreaths again this year.

The decision was made a month ago by the Scottish Parliament’s Corporate Body, (SPCB), which is in charge of the day-to-day running of Holyrood and made up of MSPs from all the main parties.

It comes despite an outcry last year when it emerged that some MSPs had charged as much as £170 for wreaths.

The SPCB decided that an MSP representing the Parliament at a wreath-laying ceremony could claim the cost back on expenses. But last night individual veterans and organisations representing them expressed their anger.

Tom Renouf, 84, a D-Day veteran from Lanarkshire, said: “I have just paid for my own wreath this week and if veterans have to pay out of what they get in old age pension, surely MSPs should have to pay out of their own pockets.”

Neil Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion Scotland, said: “It would be fair to ask an MSP to pay for a wreath once a year.”

He said the wreaths cost about £16. “An MSP ought to buy one considering they are paid way above the average salary. There should be a moral rule of thumb.”

However he understood if MSPs claimed some costs back if they were involved at a number of ceremonies.

Bob Wright, from Dalkeith in Midlothian, whose son Mark, a member of the Parachute Regiment, died attempting to rescue colleagues in a minefield in Afghanistan, also condemned the move.

“This is absolutely shocking and disgusting and a slight to the memories of men and women who have lost their lives fighting for their country,” he said. “Any MSP making this claim will be showing complete disrespect.”

Minutes from the SPCB meeting of September 30 state: “The SPCB agreed that where a Member was representing the Scottish Parliament, payment for the wreath was a legitimate expense and the cost could be claimed through the Members’ expenses scheme.”

Earlier this year it was revealed that 15 MSPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, had claimed for the cost of wreaths.

However, last night the main parties distanced themselves from any MSP claiming for the cost of a wreath. A spokeswoman for the Scottish National Party said their MSPs would not claim. “Parliamentarians lay Remembrance wreaths in an official capacity, and it is right and proper that they do so. SNP MSPs will not claim for Remembrance wreaths.”

Iain Gray, Labour leader at Holyrood, said his personal view was that MSPs should pay for wreaths and not claim them on expenses.

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