Controversial Government plans to block the publication of detailed information about MPs’ expenses have been dropped.

MPs were due to vote on the plan tomorrow and several Labour and Conservative Kent MPs had vowed to oppose the move.

But in a humiliating climbdown, Gordon Brown says the Bill setting out the changes, which would have allowed MPs to withhold detailed information about how they had spent public money, will not be tabled.

The Conservatives accused ministers of a u-turn while the Lib Dems said it was a humiliating climbdown.

Earlier this week, several of the county’s MPs signalled they would not support the plan.

Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson (Con) said: "I am in favour of complete transparency and believe all our receipts should be published. I am staggered we have got ourselves into this mess. Nobody would seriously dispute that we need some form of allowances but why should we try and exempt ourselves from disclosure?"

Ashford MP Damian Green (Con) echoed: "Under no circumstances will I be voting for this. I believe in transparency where public money is concerned and I will do whatever is required [to publish details]."

Dover MP Gywn Prosser (Lab) said: "I cannot see the justification for such exemptions and I will not be voting for any exemptions."

Last year the High Court ordered the Commons authorities to publish details, including all receipts, to back up claims made by 14 MPs under their second homes allowance.