As more tales of phantom mortgages emerge from the MPs’ expenses dossier, there are still a number of politicians who are not ripping off the taxpayer

Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat chief whip and MP for Sutton & Cheam, is entitled to claim a second home allowance as he lives in outer London but the married father of three claims a sum that is a fraction of the maximum additional cost allowance by accepting the £2,812 London subsidy instead.

His constituency is 13 miles from Westminster and he travels in each day. He said recently: “It is quite right that MPs should be held to account for the money they are spending on behalf of taxpayers.”