Hertsmere MP James Clappison has had his expenses cleared in a Parliament wide investigation.

Earlier this year, constituents were outraged when Mr Clappison used their money to buy flowers for his £375,000 house in London Colney, Hertfordshire.

This week he and every other MP received a letter from Sir Thomas Legg, who was charged with investigating the expenses scandal which dominated headlines this summer.

MPs could either expect to be told to pay the money back, asked for more information or cleared completely.

Mr Clappison received correspondence confirming he was not liable to pay back any money.

Mr Clappison always denied making any illegal or immoral claims, voluntarily submitting his expenses for review in April.

Speaking to the Watford Observer in June, he said: “They found that my claims were not only entirely within the rules but also within the spirit of the rules.

“The only exception was one claim for £38.50 for bedding plants, which I immediately repaid. This was an honest mistake on my part.”

From 2001 until the time of investigation, Mr Clappison claimed £97,000 in second home expenses, including £300 a month for food, £115 a month for a cleaner and a one-off payment of £31 for cable TV.

He also claimed £3,166 for regular work on his garden since 2004.

All of these claims were considered legal and within the spirit of the system.