WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has repaid the taxpayer £235 after one of his expense claims was highlighted in a letter sent to him by independent auditor Sir Thomas Legg.

But Mr Farron insisted he had not been forced to refund the money, which he claimed 18 months ago to cover removal expenses.

“I was not asked to pay anything back but Sir Thomas did question one claim I made for £235 which I paid in removal costs when I moved to a smaller flat in London,” he said.

“I have now sent a cheque to the authorities for that amount.

“Although Sir Thomas did not demand I pay it back, I thought it was important to do so as I did not want to leave any questions hanging over my expenses.

“People like me have long been calling for an independent inquiry like this; it is only right to respect the outcome.”

Meanwhile Barrow and Furness MP John Hutton has been asked to repay £500 in expenses which he had claimed for gardening services.

Sir Thomas Legg told Mr Hutton to pay back the money as part of his review of parliamentary claims.

A spokesman for John Hutton's office said: "John has always sought to ensure any claims made fell within both the spirit and the letter of the regulations.

“All John's claims have always been accompanied by a proper invoice.

"The claim that has now been asked to be repaid was made under the rules that applied at the time, but Sir Thomas has revised those rules and asked that some members make repayments in respect of some amounts.

"John has done so immediately.”

But Geraldine Smith, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: “Sir Thomas has not asked me to pay anything back.

"The only thing he asked for was details of my mortgage interest statements for the years I have claimed.

“However, mine is an interest-only mortgage so I have no problem with that.

“I am very pleased that Sir Thomas has found no cause for concern at my expenses claims.”

Penrith and Border MP David Maclean has not been ordered to pay back any expenses