Bristol MP claimed for second bed in one-bedroom flat
But the second bed was never delivered.
She made the claims for her London apartment under her second home allowance.
The Labour MP opened up her expenses to the Post and has posted the documents on her website.
But she was unable to work out what one item, listed as "double", on an invoice was for.
She believes it could have been for a bed that was never delivered.
She told the Post: "In August 2005 I purchased a flat in London.
"I furnished it with a sofa unit and a bed from Habitat.
"At the time of the purchase I was not aware that I was allowed to claim for such items but five months later, in January 2006, I was told by a colleague that I could do so and submitted both furniture orders to the Fees Office for reimbursement on January 10, 2006.
"It has only now come to my attention that the furniture order for the sofa unit includes an item which appears to be another bed.
"I recall that there were significant problems getting Habitat to deliver the furniture and I remember being in a position where the new parliamentary session was about to start and I still did not have a bed in the flat.
"I can only assume that the bed I originally ordered was out of stock and another order was placed, but as this was four years ago I am not sure.
"In view of that error on my part I have spoken to the Fees Office which has accepted repayment of £402."
Ms McCarthy claimed about £8,500 towards the costs of setting up a home in London after winning her seat at the last general election.
She succeeded Jean Corston in the Bristol East seat in 2005 so used her second home allowance to cover the legal costs and stamp duty of buying a flat near Parliament and then furnishing it.
The Labour politician opened up her files to the Post and revealed she claimed about £956 a month in mortgage interest as well as occasional food claims up to the maximum £400.
Land searches and other fees came to £3,657, as the documents, which she has now posted on her website, reveal.
Ms McCarthy said: "When I was elected I was in a position where I had to find new homes in both Bristol and London.
"In London I have a modest one-bedroom flat and I bought some furniture to make it a reasonable place to live. These costs were because I was a new MP and I haven't made claims for similar items since."
The £4,500 she spent on furnishings and fixtures, included:
- £1,326 Habitat corner sofa made up from smaller units
- £459 bed
- £149 under-bed drawers
- £170 mattress
- £604 TV/DVD
- £45 clothes rail
- £10 on hangers
- £17.50 on a bath tidy
- £79 on two cushions
- £709 on three sets of drawers
- £47 on bedding
- £42 on picture frames
- £397 on two tables
- £35 on lamps
- £198 chair
- £130 rug
- £76 on linen and cutlery
Kerry McCarthy
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