WEST Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger says he would be prepared to pay back money for expense claims - but has not yet been asked to.

Hundreds of MPs including Mr Liddell-Grainger received a letter this week from Sir Thomas Legg following a review into their expense claims.

Mr Liddell-Grainger told the County Gazette today that he has been asked to explain claims including one for cleaning costs and one for a mortgage bill dating back to 2004 - but he says it is unclear whether Sir Thomas wants him to repay money.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “He wants to know exactly what those claims are for.

“He wants clarification and I'm happy to give it. If I'm asked to pay something back I will.

“I was expecting to be told to pay something back because of the nature of the review and because of the way we have operated in the past.

“I think we all know it's been a complete shambles and we have to take the rough with the smooth.”

However, Mr Liddell-Grainger said he was not happy Sir Thomas had retrospectively capped what MPs could claim for certain expenses, nor how far the review went back.

He said: “They are going back to 2004. I can't remember what I did in 2004.

“I think he should have stuck to his brief of looking at what we were entitled to at the time according to the fees office.

“You can't change the rules as you go.”

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