Sir Lindsay Hoyle was last night facing calls for an investigation into his ‘extravagant’ travel expenses as it emerged he’s taken his wife on several working trips.
Amid mounting concerns over the potential ‘abuse’ of public money, it can be revealed the Commons Speaker took wife Catherine on jaunts to Italy, Los Angeles and Gibraltar.
Sir Lindsay has billed taxpayers nearly £16,000 for four trips to the Rock in recent years because he is the Chancellor of the University of Gibraltar.
But critics say this has nothing to do with his role as the Speaker and that taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill.
Last night his office said that Lady Hoyle’s travel expenses during a trip there in 2021 were paid for by the university. Three staff also went on the trip, for which Sir Lindsay billed taxpayers more than £4,000.
Lady Hoyle also went to Los Angeles with him in February 2023, where he gave a single talk to politics students at the University of Southern California.
During the trip, he splashed out more than £3,000 to a limousine firm for a chauffeur-driven car, nearly £300 on taxi app Lyft and more than £3,000 on accommodation.
His wife also went to Verona in Italy with him for a G7 Speakers’ conference in September last year, a trip which cost the taxpayer a total of £14,585.
Lindsay Hoyle (right) was last night facing calls for an investigation into his ‘extravagant’ travel expenses as it emerged he’s taken his wife Lady Catherine (left) on several working trips
Amid mounting concerns over the potential ‘abuse’ of public money, it can be revealed the Commons Speaker took wife Catherine on jaunts to Italy, Los Angeles and Gibraltar. Pictured: The Rock Hotel in Gibraltar, where Hoyle has visited
Sir Lindsay has billed taxpayers nearly £16,000 for four trips to the Rock (pictured) in recent years because he is the Chancellor of the University of Gibraltar
On both these occasions, Sir Lindsay’s office said he and his wife footed the bill for her travel and expenses.
A spokesman added: ‘Whenever Lady Hoyle accompanies Sir Lindsay on a visit, all her travel costs and expenses are covered by her and Sir Lindsay personally.’
However, critics questioned whether her attendance on what are supposed to be official taxpayer-funded work trips was necessary and whether it was possible to keep her expenses completely separate.
It can also be revealed that Sir Lindsay has claimed thousands of pounds in first class rail tickets for him and his wife.
The luxury seats were among nearly £38,000-worth of rail fares claimed by him over three years. The tally is much higher than other MPs whose constituencies are further from Westminster than Sir Lindsay’s seat, Chorley in Lancashire.
While there is no suggestion that any rules have been broken, it will probably raise eyebrows after a Daily Mail investigation last week revealed the lavish scale of his globe-trotting.
It revealed how he has splurged more than £250,000 on 19 foreign jaunts since October 2022.
Former Tory Cabinet minister David Jones said: ‘His roles as Speaker of the House of Commons and Chancellor of the University of Gibraltar seem to have become confused.’
Lady Hoyle also went to Los Angeles (pictured) with him in February 2023, where he gave a single talk to politics students at the University of Southern California
During the trip, he (pictured) splashed out more than £3,000 to a limousine firm for a chauffeur-driven car, nearly £300 on taxi app Lyft and more than £3,000 on accommodation
Sir Lindsay’s office said he (left) and his wife (right) footed the bill for her travel and expenses for the trips to Los Angeles and Verona
![A spokesman added: 'Whenever Lady Hoyle accompanies Sir Lindsay [pictured] on a visit, all her travel costs and expenses are covered by her and Sir Lindsay personally'](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/03/09/21/96008645-14479607-image-a-114_1741554935835.jpg?resize=634%2C357&ssl=1)
A spokesman added: ‘Whenever Lady Hoyle accompanies Sir Lindsay [pictured] on a visit, all her travel costs and expenses are covered by her and Sir Lindsay personally’
His wife also went to Verona (pictured) in Italy with him for a G7 Speakers’ conference in September last year, a trip which cost the taxpayer a total of £14,585
It can also be revealed that Sir Lindsay (right) has claimed thousands of pounds in first class rail tickets for him and his wife (left)
The luxury seats were among nearly £38,000-worth of rail fares claimed by him over three years. Pictured: Sir Lindsay before the State Opening of Parliament in July last year
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority expenses watchdog’s remit does not cover items racked up by Sir Lindsay in his capacity as Speaker.
The parliamentary commissioner for standards also cannot investigate, making it unclear which parliamentary body could probe him.
His spokesman added: ‘All expenses and costs are processed and published in line with rules from the House of Commons Administration, whose accounts are audited annually by the National Audit Office.
‘As previously stated, to further bolster transparency and accountability, he has asked officials to ensure future travel arrangements are signed off by the cross-party House of Commons Commission.’
