LEYTON and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen will not comment on whether he was asked to return any money in the wake of the Parliamentary expenses scandal.

Mr Cohen's office today confirmed the Labour MP, who is due to step down at the next election, will not reveal the contents of a letter sent to him by former civil servant Sir Thomas Legg.

Sir Thomas was asked by Downing Street to review all claims made under the controversial second homes allowance since 2004.

He has sent letters to all MPs, ordering some to make repayments in line with new limits he has set for second home claims.

Others received letters telling them they had nothing to pay back.

A spokeswoman for Mr Cohen said: “He will not be commenting on whether he got either kind of letter.

“He feels it's a private letter to him and has been supportive of the audit of expenses.

“He voted for the audit and does not feel he needs to state the details of the letter.”

A new Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the constituency has not yet been chosen, the Guardian understands.

Mr Cohen became entangled in the expenses controversy after declaring a property in his constituency as his second home, despite it being just eight miles from Westminster.

He also faced heavy criticism over claims for items such as a pineapple slicer, baby wipes and shaving oil.

Liberal Democrat PPC for the constituency Farooq Qureshi said: “It's a very tricky situation because all the MPs who were making claims were doing it within the limit the rules permitted at the time.

“I do think Harry Cohen should be brave enough to make a statement and be fair to his constituents.”

Conservative PPC Ed Northover added: "Harry Cohen is still the MP for Leyton and Wanstead, irrespective of the fact that he is standing down.

"Given all the negative coverage of his expenses claims, surely it is important for him to try and restore the trust of his constituents.

"I would have thought an important part of that would be for him to be straight with the people of Leyton & Wanstead as to where he stands in the eyes of the Legg Report."

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