And he said he is happy with what the national newspaper reported and satisfied it supports his declaration made last month that 'his conscience in clear'

As reported, the Louth and Horncastle MP told the Louth Leader he had not abused the expenses system in any way and he shared 'the sense of dismay felt by others'

He also said he had only ever claimed for rent, council tax, service charges and utility bills and branded the behaviour of those MPs abusing the parliamentary expenses system as 'shameful'.

Since then, figures reported by the Daily Telegraph this week show the amount of rent the MP claimed on his London home - a two bedroom, rented flat.

The national newspaper says his rent rose from £4,821 a quarter in 2006 to £5,417 a quarter in 2008, totaling £87,729 over four years.

Sir Peter, who has so far not been contacted by the Daily Telegraph, said: "I have only ever claimed for rent, council tax, service charges and utility bills.

"The Daily Telegraph only mentioned the rent because that is the overwhelmingly important part of it.

"Running a second home costs considerably more than the allowance so what the Telegraph has said is absolutely right.

"Obviously I have many expenses which come in running a second home, but I pay for them myself - I have never claimed for duck houses or mortgages.

"Running a second home involves all sorts of expenses like repainting and replacing doors and I could have claimed for many other things but you can't go above your limit and my rent is very much the limit.

"A lot of my colleagues have behaved very badly, it is shameful behaviour, that is my view but I am not prepared to be tarred with the same brush".