IT was Question Time with a twist yesterday when Daily Echo readers gave three of Dorset’s MPs a grilling over the expenses scandal that has stunned the country.

After another week of shocking headlines and revelations, MPs Jim Knight, Tobias Ellwood and Annette Brooke took part in a series of live blogs to answer probing and sometimes difficult questions from the public.

Hundreds of people joined the blogs at bournemouthecho.co.uk to ask about the long summer recess, flipping of second homes and whether MPs who have acted illegally should be prosecuted.

First to step up to the keyboard at the Echo offices in Richmond Hill was Bournemouth East’s Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood.

He apologised for what had happened with the expenses fiasco, apologised for voting for the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill to keep expenses details secret and again called for an immediate general election.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Ellwood said: “I was very apprehensive when I walked in and thought it was going to be a lot tougher but it went very well. We had some very good questions about my own expenses, expenses as a whole and what should be done to make sure this never happens again.

“This is the first time I have used this technology and I think it is something that every MP should be doing.”

Next up was Dorset South’s Labour MP and schools minister Jim Knight, who answered questions from the comfort of his home.

His blog was frantic at times with the sheer volume of questions coming in from bloggers and readers.

Mr Knight, who was one of several ministers to receive tax advice paid for under his parliamentary allowances, said: “These discredited rules need changing but I am happy that I have paid the right amount of tax, done everything as it should have been.”

At the end of the busy blog, Mr Knight wrote: “Thank you everyone. That was wild, but helpful feedback and at times fun.”

Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, was probed about the rental cost of her flat in Dolphin Square, London, and employing her husband to help with her duties.

She expressed her shock at some of her colleagues “milking” the system.

Afterwards she said: “It was quite interesting. It is new media for me and I think it seems a good way of interacting with the electorate.”