HUDDERSFIELD’S MP has not registered his free first-class rail pass in protest at a “daft ruling”.

Last week the Examiner revealed that train company Grand Central had given passes to at least 18 northern MPs.

The free tickets allow politicians to travel first-class rather than take taxpayer-funded standard class tickets.

Eighteen MPs – including the new Conservatives for Colne Valley, Dewsbury and Calder Valley – have included their passes in the Register of Members’ Interests.

But Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman has not registered his free pass, saying it was “daft” to guess how much it will be worth to him this year.

The Labour veteran said: “The House of Commons is asking me to give an estimate of how often I might use this pass. That’s a new principle and it’s a daft ruling.

“These are not the rules. This is something which has been made up in a back room.

“I’m trying to settle this in the House of Commons but I’ve not yet got any satisfaction and I will now take the matter to the Speaker.

“I will also take it to the head of the House of Commons Commission.

“This is very irritating for me. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything wrong with my expenses.”

The House of Commons’ code of conduct instructs MPs to register all gifts which are worth more than 1% of their salary – meaning anything over £657.38.

Grand Central has given passes to MPs in Yorkshire and the North East allowing them unlimited first-class travel on their services.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney and Calder Valley’s Craig Whittaker have estimated their passes will be worth £4,000 a year, while Simon Reevell of Dewsbury has said £2,000.

But Mr Sheerman has refused to make a similar estimation.

“I’m not going to say that it will be worth £2,000 or £4,000 because these are arbitrary figures,” he said.

Mr Sheerman added he had only used the ticket twice because Grand Central’s thrice-daily service from Brighouse to London was not convenient for him.

He said: “I’ve received about £150 of benefit from the pass so far, but I doubt that I will use the train very often.”

In June Mr Sheerman signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons praising Grand Central for launching its West Riding service – without registering that the company had given him a free pass.

Yesterday Mr Sheerman said that, at the time he signed the motion, he had received the pass but had not yet used it.