Independent probe to check expenses

PM Gordon Brown backed the "extreme but necessary" measure as Labour figures started following in the footsteps of Tories by handing over money they were seen to have "milked" out of the system.

Earlier, Tory leader David Cameron offered another apology as a large proportion of his top team pledged to reimburse the taxpayer.

Mr Cameron himself repaid a £680 bill for maintenance such as removing wisteria, while shadow schools secretary Michael Gove will return £7,000 spent on furniture.

Others retracting what Mr Cameron described as "excessive" claims included shadow leader of the House Alan Duncan, who handed back more than £4,000 for gardening, and Conservative policy chief Oliver Letwin - who spent £2,000 getting pipes repaired under his tennis court.

In a round of broadcast interviews, the Prime Minister denied he was merely falling into line behind what Mr Cameron was doing.

He said he had been in discussions with the chairman of the cross-party Commons Committee on Members' Allowances - which unveiled plans for the independent review along with more interim restrictions on what MPs can claim - for "days".

Downing Street sources said a large number of external auditors would be recruited for the independent review to ensure it was completed "quickly".

Mr Brown said he strongly supported the committee's proposal to stamp out the practice of "flipping" properties. From now on MPs' second home will be fixed for the duration of a Parliament unless their "personal circumstances change significantly". They will barred from claiming for furniture, white goods and fixtures and fittings.

Mr Brown said he also wanted a cap on the amount that could be spent on mortgage interest payments, but the Tories had not yet agreed.