A bay tree apparently paid for with taxpayers' money became the scapegoat for public anger over abuse of the expenses system by Luton South MP Margaret Moran on Sunday.

The tree was kidnapped some weeks ago from Ms Moran's home in Alexandra Avenue, Luton, by comedian and political activist Mark Thomas, who has mounted a campaign to make MPs across the country accountable for their expenses claims.

The £50 purchase, believed to have adorned the MP's front door, was targeted after appearing alongside a silk cushion on one of the many B&Q receipts she filed when claiming more than £22,000 for her second home allowance last year.

But it became clear last week that the tree's journey of liberation around the country with the comedian was nearing its end, when an open letter to Ms Moran, who has been off work sick since the expenses scandal broke, appeared on Mr Thomas' website.

It was written by the MPs' Houses Open Day Society, founded by the comedian on the principle that the public should be able to enjoy homes they have paid to furnish, and read: "Instead of clinging to office for the sake of your salary and pension, for the sake of democracy you must stand down. You have until 7.58pm on Sunday, August 2, 2009 to resign or your bay tree will pay the price."

But with no resignation forthcoming, the bay tree met its fate on the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square. A friend of the comedian who had signed up to take part in the art exhibit, where members of the public can stand for an hour, climbed onto the plinth with the tree and a sign urging the MP to stand down.

With the Ms Moran unwilling to negotiate the tree was unceremoniously chopped in two and its head thrown into the watching crowd.

But in the end the tree did benefit the public who had paid for it - its leaves were used to flavour a giant batch of minestrone soup served up at a nearby bar.

A spokesman for the MP said she was aware of the theft but had not reported it to the police.

You can watch a video of the bay tree's final moments by clicking here.