A union leader from Finchley has dismissed reports in two national newspapers that he has been living a life of luxury at the Manufacturing, Science and Finance union's expense as 'total lies'.

Roger Lyons, of Park Crescent, who is married to Finchley councillor Kitty Lyons, said reports leaked to The Guardian ,,claiming he spent nearly £10,000 on the union's credit cards and almost £4,000 on other disputed expenses ,, are 'totally unsubstantiated'.

'Because I hold the union's credit card, I pay for delegations,' he said.

Commenting on The Guardian's claims that he spent £6,366.70 on hotels and meals over a nine-month period, he said: 'If you take a group of people out to a restaurant someone ends up paying.'

And responding to an allegation in yesterday's Daily Mail that he claimed petrol for a trip to his holiday home in France, he said: 'No petrol was claimed on the way to my French home.' He added this was one of a number of defamatory claims over which he will be taking legal action.

Speaking in his defence, his wife said claims in the Guardian that he would stop off after work and get a takeaway from Pizza Express were untrue. 'I totally refute that,' she said.

Mr Lyons said his expenses were thoroughly investigated by independent accountants and by the Government's certification officer in spring last year.

'The reports concluded that not a penny had been spent out of place,' My Lyons said.