BRIDGWATER'S MP has been asked to pay back one of his expense claims because he overspent on his cleaning budget by £350.

Ian Liddell-Grainger's claims were put under the scrutiny of Sir Thomas Legg who was designated by the Government to assess the country's MPs' claims.

Originally, Sir Thomas queried £16,000 worth of claims which were Mr Liddell-Grainger's mortgage payments on his second home but after a "short explanation", said the MP, the situation was cleared up and he was not asked to repay the money.

Mr Liddell-Grainger – one of the highest-claiming Members of Parliament in the country – said: "I was never asked to repay the £16,000 – Sir Thomas was investigating my claims, like he was with everyone else's, and he didn't understand my mortgage claims.

"After we discussed it, he concluded that all my mortgage payments were by-the-book and I was never asked to pay back any of those claims."

He was, however, asked to pay back £350 because his cleaning bills for the year exceeded his budget. In previous Bridgwater & Burnham Times stories, the MP always said that if any claims were contested by Sir Thomas, he would pay them back without question or appeal – and he still stands by his word.

He said: "I overspent this year so I paid the £350 and I still maintain my previous sentiments: if Sir Thomas thinks I've claimed for anything dodgy or wrong, I'll happily give the money back. I still believe the system for MPs claiming needs to be changed because it's still very complicated and confusing."