Watford MP Claire Ward has been cleared of any wrongdoing after appealing against a recommendation to pay back £850.

She said: “This was a process of full investigation into the allowances every MP had claimed and one which I accepted. Had I not won my appeal I would have abided by the final decision."

In his audit on Parliamentary expenses dating back to 2004, Sir Thomas Legg had recommended Ms Ward repay the sum claimed as petty cash in 2004/05.

This recommendation was then considered by former High Court judge Sir Paul Kennedy.

However, Ms Ward lodged an appeal and her case has now been dismissed, after Sir Paul found only the description of the allowance to be unfair, rather than what the money had been used for.

Ms Ward had claimed the sum as "petty cash". On a later claim, she clarified the use as "petty cash - household items", which was acceptable within the rules.

Sir Paul added that had the Fees Office explained the issue at the time, the money would still have been paid to Ms Ward in accordance with the rules.

It was, therefore, ruled that Ms Ward should not have to make any repayments.

Ms Ward told the Watford Observer this morning: “No one can be pleased about the state of Parliamentary expenses, nor the public's anger and disappointment at the whole system and that's understandable but obviously I'm pleased I have cleared my name for something I believe would have been a mark against me.”

MPs were previously allowed to claim up to £250 each month for petty cash, without specifying exactly what the money was used for and without providing receipts.

However, the allowance has since been reduced to £50.

Ms Ward added: “I appealed it because I didn't think that the issue had been given full consideration but I accept the process. Had I not won it, I would have paid it but I have won it and my name has been cleared.”

Ms Ward was among 73 MPs to appeal against recommendations for them to repay some of their expenses.

Others included Sir Peter Viggers, who claimed £1,645 to pay for a floating duck house, and Douglas Hogg, who used taxpayers money to clean his moat.