MP Ruth Kelly is refusing to reveal whether she has to pay back taxpayers’ money she has claimed in expenses.

Independent auditor Sir Thomas Legg is carrying out a review into MPs’ expenses claimed between 2004 and 2008, following the furore over alleged expense abuses which broke out earlier this year.

On Monday, he sent individual letters to MPs outlining whether or not he thought they had overcharged the taxpayers and, if they had, the amount they should pay back.

MPs can either pay back any money or have three weeks to challenge Sir Thomas’ findings.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby has told The Bolton News that after receiving his letter he is planning to repay £1,678.75.

And Bolton South East MP Dr Brian Iddon said his letter from Sir Thomas shows his expenses are in order and he does not have to repay any cash.

But Ms Kelly, who escaped having a motion of censure passed against her by the Bolton West Constituency Labour Party following allegations in the Daily Telegraph about her expenses claims in May, refused to discuss receiving a letter from Sir Thomas.

Ms Kelly was one of several high-profile MPs criticised by the Daily Telegraph after the newspaper alleged she had claimed thousands of pounds for luxury fixtures and fittings at her Horwich home in 2005.

But yesterday her spokeswoman said Ms Kelly would not even confirm whether she had received a letter from Sir Thomas, let alone divulge the contents.

Ms Kelly’s stance contrasts to other politicians, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who revealed he will be repaying more than £12,000 in expenses he claimed for cleaning, decorating and gardening.

And she is being urged to reconsider revealing the contents of her letter by fellow local Labour Party members.

Westhoughton town councillor Pat Brennan said it was “very unfortunate” that Ms Kelly is not being open about the letter.

“Politically, it would be better for her to say what her letter contains or some people will draw quite the wrong conclusion.”

Bolton councillor David Chadwick, treasurer of the Bolton West Constituency Labour Party, described the decision not to reveal the contents of the letter as “daft”.

“In politics, you should be open and above board,” he said.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby confirmed he will repay £307.10 in expenses he claimed in error while Parliament was dissolved for the 2005 General Election, plus £1,371.65 for interest he claimed on a £25,000 mortgage extension.

Sir Thomas had asked for clarification of the mortgage interest payments rather than demanding repayment, but Mr Crausby said: “I believe I did nothing wrong but I am going to try and draw a line under it.”

Bolton South East MP Dr Iddon who rents, rather than owns a flat in London, said: “I have a clean bill of health.”

jrowe@theboltonnews.co.uk