An MP’s expenses are being investigated by the Parliamentary standards watchdog.

The Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has announced it has opened an investigation into MP for Harrow East Bob Blackman.

IPSA is looking into “claims made under the MPs’ Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses” made by the Conservative MP.

Under legislation no further information will be published until the investigation has been concluded.

Once it is finished, the authority will publish a report with its evidence and findings, and any sanctions against the Harrow representative.

In response to the investigation, Bob Blackman said: “To the best of my knowledge, all expenses claimed in relation to my duties as an MP have been fully in accordance with IPSA's rules.

“If IPSA believes otherwise, I will be more than happy to work with them to rectify any errors made as soon as possible. I have been cooperating fully with the investigation and will continue to do so.”

The Harrow Times reported last month he had spent £149,054.13 on staffing costs, £5,054.13 more than the set maximum for the year according to figures released by IPSA.

Mr Blackman has agreed to balance this by reducing spending in his 2014-2015 budget.

He also spent £25,340.39 on office costs, and £4,376.62 on travel around the constituency, as well as to and from Parliament.

His overall total came to £178,771.14. The figures also showed that Mr Blackman’s wife, Nicola Blackman, works as his office manager on a salary of between £30,000 to 34,999.99.