The cost to the taxpayer of Labour's special leadership conference in
Paul Rowen is demanding a parliamentary watchdog inquiry claiming the "publicity stunt" at which Gordon Brown was formally appointed as party leader should have been paid for from party funds.
Parliamentary standards commissioner Sir Philip Mawer has been asked to investigate whether it was appropriate and calling for Labour to refund the £200,000 security cost.
Policing minister Tony McNulty said after the event that Greater
There was a heavy police presence at the one-day event in the city's Bridgewater Hall at which Harriet Harman was elected as Brown's deputy.
Rochdale MP Rowen said: "Here in Greater Manchester, our force is facing a funding crisis, just like many forces across the country.
"I will be asking the parliamentary commissioner for standards to look into whether it is appropriate in this case for taxpayers' money to be spent on a publicity stunt."
A Labour Party spokesman said: "All decisions regarding security at Labour Party events are taken by the police."
