I’M sorry – that was the response from West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin to his constituents after he became caught up in the expenses claims row.

It has been revealed that the Conservative policy chief claimed £2,145 to replace a leaking pipe under his tennis court in September 2006 and hundreds of pounds to have his Aga serviced regularly.

Mr Letwin, who made the claims for work carried out at his Somerset cottage, said he understood why people were angry about the Commons pay-outs.

Since 2004, he has claimed more than £80,000 of expenses for the cottage, including the cost of heating fuel and emptying the septic tank.

Mr Letwin told the Echo: “This whole episode has been immensely damaging for all politicians. I quite understand that people are angry about it.

“This so-called pipe under my tennis court that’s causing so much upset sprung an enormous leak.

“I had a letter from the water company saying that I had to fix it and it happens to run under my tennis court.”

Mr Letwin added that no public money had been spent maintaining the tennis court.

The public’s trust needs to be re-gained by MPs, he said. “Through my constituency work I do try to do everything I can to help my constituents.

“I understand that people are struggling with the recession. I see that people are cross to see that MPs have claimed on things that we have claimed on.

“I think I accept entirely that people do not regard what we have been able to claim as acceptable.

“I’m sorry that we have arrangements which are out of kilter with the public.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday offered a public apology on behalf of all MPs for the parliamentary expenses scandal that has shaken Westminster to its core.

As the spotlight switched to the claims of senior Tories like Mr Letwin, the Prime Minister issued a call to all parties to come together to ‘clean up’ British politics.

Mr Letwin agreed that the expenses system needs a major over-haul.

He said: “It has to be changed. The public aren’t going to accept the current system.

“Something needs to be done sooner rather than later.”