NORTHAVON MP Steve Webb has defended a £9,000 expenses claim, which covered the cost of stamp duty on his London flat.

Today, in a third day of revelations by a national newspaper, Liberal Democrat MPs have come under fire for their expenses claims.

Mr Webb said there were MPs who had taken advantage of the expenses system but claimed taxpayers would in fact profit from his actions.

He said: "There have clearly been some MPs who have abused the system and brought the whole thing into disrepute and I am as angry about this as all my constituents. This whole process has done politics no favours.

"I have a flat in London but I have gone much further than most MPs. I will not take a penny from having a flat in London, every penny of profit will go back to the taxpayer.

"I have already paid capital gains tax when I moved, which is more than the stamp duty for buying a new flat. The taxpayer will gain more.

"I can certainly see why the whole upset has made people disillusioned, that is why I believe what we need is an independent body to set the rules and an independent body vetting everyone.

"The whole thing, and this is something I have always voted for, should have total transparency."

Other claims to have hit the headlines include Communities Secretary Hazel Blears who claimed £13,332 for capital gains tax on the sale of her second home flat. Ms Blears has said she will now repay the money.

Sir Menzies Campbell, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, is reported to have claimed nearly £10,000 in expenses for a top designer to redecorate his London flat.

On Tuesday night Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced an independent audit was needed and if necessary repayments should be made and disciplinary action taken against some MPs.