Keighley and Ilkley MP Ann Cryer has had her appeal against a demand to pay back “substantial” expenses upheld.

Mrs Cryer will have to pay out just £1,600 after initial reports that her dues were as high as £19,000.

She said she would be paying back the money on Monday.

Some 80 MPs appealed the claims and are expected to learn their fate when a formal announcement is made by the appeal’s investigator, Sir Paul Kennedy, on Thursday.

Mrs Cryer, who is not fighting the next General Election after three terms in office, said: “This is a great relief – it has been hanging over me for months.

“Over the years I think I have been very fair with taxpayers’ money. When people see the report they will understand what I’m talking about.

“I should never have been asked to pay that large amount – it was ludicrous. I believe Sir Thomas Legg went way beyond his remit.

“It wasn’t just a question of the amount, it was a question of a slur made against me.

“My claim in the first place for the rent was absolutely legitimate, it was honest and no blame could be attached to me.

“I don’t want to talk about the total because it has been agreed that all the details will be publicised on Thursday.”

She said the money owed was for three items, including a carpet and a desk for her London flat, which she had bought over two years.

“I put a note in each time with an invoice – I’d already bought the items – and asked the fees office if they were acceptable as expenses.

“I volunteered to pay at the time, but the office deemed it appropriate.”

Her flat was near to Parliament and she had been able to walk there and back and in 13 years she had never claimed for a taxi.

When the scandal broke, Mrs Cryer gave the Telegraph & Argus access to her expenses ahead of them being officially published.

e.mail:clive.white @telegraphandargus.co.uk