EXPENSES claims by MPs could be scrutinised again under plans to take a closer look at mortgage claims.

Auditor Sir Thomas Legg has already demanded that MPs across the country pay back expenses he believes to be excessive.

Now he is thought to be turning his attention to second homes allowances.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood designated a flat in Battersea, London, as his second home when he was first an MP – but later made Bournemouth his second home and claimed almost the full £23,000-a-year allowance towards his mortgage costs.

He has previously said that when he first moved to Bournemouth, he lived in a rented home and felt it would be wrong to claim allowances towards it from the taxpayer. He switched his second home designation when he bought a property in the constituency.

It is not yet known if he has been asked to repay any money.

A statement on Tobias Ellwood’s website says of David Cameron’s new reforms: “Critically, no Conservative Member will be permitted to ‘flip’ the designation of which property is his or her second home.

“Any change will have to be for genuine family reasons and must be approved in advance.

“Also on the subject of second homes, any Conservative Member selling a home for which mortgage interest is currently paid by the second home allowance must confirm that they will pay any Capital Gains Tax due on it.”

The statement says of Sir Thomas Legg’s expenses review: “Tobias has been asked to pay £232 regarding over-payment in the financial year 2005/6 unless the Fees Office is able to confirm this has already been paid.

“Tobias is waiting for the Fees Office to report. If there is a shortfall he will immediately pay the £232.”

On Wednesday, Sir Thomas Legg confirmed he has asked for more details of all mortgage claims.

And Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg called for Sir Thomas to reopen his inquiry.

He said: “I think most people expected the worst offences to come under the toughest scrutiny – MPs who avoided capital gains tax, claimed cash for mortgages that didn’t exist or “flipped” their second home so they could claim for renovations on house after house.

“Every single MP who ‘flipped’ must be forced to repay the money and held to account. That’s why I am writing to ask Sir Thomas to reopen the files with a renewed emphasis on the worst offences.”

Bournemouth West MP Sir John Butterfill has already paid back £17,500 expenses and has confirmed he has been asked to repay a further £2,000.

Dorset South MP Jim Knight has been asked to give back £1,906 and Annette Brooke, Mid Dorset and North Poole MP, has been asked for £238.78.

Poole MP Robert Syms confirmed there has been a query over a £6,000-£7,000 maintenance bill and Christchurch MP Christopher Chope said he is dealing with “a couple of queries”.

Desmond Swayne, MP for the New Forest, said no queries were raised over his expenses and Bob Walter, MP for North Dorset, said he has not yet received his letter.