Bury North MP David Chaytor has always appeared upfront on the expenses issue — given that two months ago he spoke of the importance of MPs informing taxpayers of how they were spending their money. He went as far as organising a public Question Time-style event in Bury on April 3, which gave constituents the chance to grill him about his expenses.

Writing on his website in March, the MP said: “I welcome the Prime Minster’s decisive action this week in calling for a complete overhaul of the current arrangements for parliamentary allowances. I am not aware of anyone who thinks that the current system is sustainable in its present form.

“We need some basic changes that will ensure that the real costs of an effective parliamentary democracy are recognised whilst reassuring the public that the system is transparent and cannot be abused.

“I know that my constituents want to be reassured that public money is being used correctly. Therefore I have decided to hold a public question time in Bury at which anyone can come along and question me both about my own use of public funds and about the workings of the system as a whole.”

And after his expenses claims were made public in 2005, Mr Chaytor said if taxpayers weren’t satisfied he would give them a refund.

Speaking in 2006, he said: “It’s not money going into my back pocket, but to pay for legitimate expenses such as running my office, travel and postage costs.”

“(What I have claimed in expenses) works out at around £2 per constituent. If anyone thinks I’m not worth it, they can write to me and I will consider giving them their £2 back.”