MP's warning over expenses probe

Amid reports that scores of MPs, including Gordon Brown, will be asked to repay cash, Sir Stuart Bell said the review seemed to be straying outside of its remit.

He indicated that the Commons authorities could refuse to impose punishments if the team led by ex-civil servant Sir Thomas Legg failed to "respect" the way the expenses system had been operating over the past five years.

The auditors are due to send letters to all MPs, disclosing whether there are any problems with their expenses.

More than half will reportedly be told they should either make repayments, or need to provide further details about claims. Downing Street is braced for the Prime Minister to be asked to hand back some of the money spent on a cleaner for his private flat in London before he moved to Downing Street.

But Sir Stuart - who sits on the ruling Commons Members Estimate Committee (MEC) - said MPs would be justified in protesting if Sir Thomas had not judged them against the standards that applied when they made expenses claims.

He told BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend: "The MPs will have in their breast pocket a letter from Sir Thomas dated the 2nd of July saying that his review will be carried out in accordance with the rules at the time and the standards that applied at the time over the past five years.

"In so far as Sir Thomas stays within the remit, then MPs would be very happy to comply in the three weeks that are available to them to respond."

But the Labour MP went on: "I think many MPs, if they read the newspapers, may feel he's not staying within that remit, he's not respecting the decisions that were made by the fees office in accordance with the rules at the time."

Sir Stuart insisted that the MEC would have the final decision on any punishments as a result of the review, adding that MPs deserved "fairness and justice".