A number of Kent’s MPs have been asked to repay money they claimed in Parliamentary allowances, it has emerged.

Others have been given a clean bill of health and have been told no money has to be paid back after a detailed audit of claims dating back several years.

Among those being asked to refund money by Sir Thomas Legg are: Julian Brazier; Canterbury MP; Ann Widdecombe, Maidstone and the Weald MP; Paul Clark, Gillingham MP; Derek Wyatt, Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, Damian Green, Ashford MP and Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesham.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw, Dr Howard Stoate for Dartford and Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson have learned their claims have all been cleared.

South Thanet MP Dr Steve Ladyman and Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark have both been asked to provide more paperwork relating to their mortgage claims. Roger Gale - MP for North Thanet - has been queried over a mobile phone bill, while Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser must clarify a £650 claim for laminate flooring in 2006.

They all have three weeks to answer the requests.

Hear Dr Stephen Ladyman talk about what he has been asked to do

Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard has refused to divulge the content of his letter at this time.

Some of those who have been asked to repay money have signalled they may contest the request.

Julian Brazier, who has been asked for £3,635 or justify four areas of spending, said he planned to challenge the findings.

"The major item he has challenged is my annual subscription to the Travellers Club. At approximately £1,000 per year, my subscription gave me access to bedrooms that were less than half the price of equivalent hotel accommodation."

Ann Widdecombe, who has been asked to repay £235 for claims made for gardening dating back several years ago, said she was considering how to respond.

However, she said MPs’ disquiet over retrospective rules being applied to claims that had been cleared by the Commons' authorities was understandable.

MPs like her had tried to be "fastidious" in ensuring their claims were correct and were now being told they had exceeded limits that previously did not exist.

There was "a big question over the legality" of Sir Thomas's approach, she added.

"I think he has exceeded his remit. I think he has done so to meet a very widespread concern that people were using the second allowance as a form of income - but in fact that is a concern for the other review from Sir Christopher Kelly [who is chairing a separate inquiry into expenses]."

Damian Green said he would be repaying money claimed for cleaning bills submitted between 2007 and 2009.

"I have been asked to pay back £1,324.96 on cleaning bills covering the years 2007-2009, because of the retrospectively imposed limit of £2,000 per year. In the interests of helping Parliament concentrate in its proper job and not become stuck discussing expenses, I will of course pay this sum back."

Paul Clark has been asked to repay £164 for a claim submitted for a washing machine. He said he would be re-imbursing the money. "The expenses system has comprehensively failed and we need to move on and bite the bullet."

Derek Wyatt has been told to pay back £2,893.49. The figure comprises of a council tax overpayment of £1,290.30; a £776.76 service charge incurred when moving properties and £826.49 in utility and insurance bills some of which are thought to have been processed twice over the five-year period.

On his website, the MP said:“Sir Thomas has identified a number of mistakes in my claims, and subject to checking my paperwork, I am happy to rectify them.

"I did not come into politics to make money; I came into politics to work hard for my constituents, my constituency and my country. I believe my record in this respect would stand up to the closest scrutiny. Where mistakes have been made by myself or the Fees Office, they have been innocent ones, I apologise and I will correct them."

Adam Holloway has been instructed to repay £1,000 for accidentally claiming twice for council tax in 2007 following a final demand notice and has agreed to repay the money.

He said: "Neither the editor, me, or the House of Commons spotted it before - which is very annoying because in the couple of years after I was elected I had huge costs, much of which was met from my salary and savings."

Michael Howard said he would not be commenting at this stage.

"I have had a letter, but I am not prepared to say any more at this stage. The process is ongoing and will be made public. I will speak at the appropriate time when the process is over.”

Mr Howard was in the spotlight in June when he denied reports that he had claimed £17,351 for gardening services over four years. He insisted the claims were “perfectly proper” and covered general maintenance as well as gardening.

One of the county's MPs with no case to answer - Hugh Robertson - has urged his colleagues to pay back any money requested "unless there is some fundamental unfairness".

The rest of the county's MPs have been contacted but have yet to respond.