NEW FOREST West MP Desmond Swayne claimed more than £1,400 for food between April last year and March this year.

He also claimed for several cleaning items he bought at a London branch of Waitrose - including a 99p scourer, a £1.28 pair of Marigold gloves, and a £3.65 dustpan set.

His total claim for the period, detailed on expenses documents released this week, comes to more than £12,800, but he still claimed less than almost every other serving MP.

Mr Swayne said: “ All my claims have been rigorously scrutinised by Sir Thomas Legg and his team and he has given me a clean bill of health.

“My total claims have always fallen into the bottom 10 out of 647 MPs.”

All claims must be entered online at the time they are made, so constituents can see claims made by their MP right up to the present by logging on to www.conservatives.com.

“I now adhere to the new rules which apply to all members of the Conservative front bench,” said Mr Swayne.

“You will note that my total for 'second home' expenses has declined sharply from 07/08 as a consequence of moving to a much smaller and more economical flat. The cost of moving was £10,000, none of which was claimed from the allowance despite being within the rules to have done so.

“This current financial year I expect my costs to come in with a further dramatic decline of the same order.

The main item on his monthly claim was £711 in mortgage interest.

“Sir Christopher Kelly has now said that mortgage interest claims should be phased out,” he said. Accordingly I will sell or let my flat and use budget hotels. The Estate agents have already been in.”