Hugh Robertson has demanded an early General Election.

The Tory MP for Faversham and Mid Kent said that the current Parliament "had lost its moral authority" in the wake of the expenses scandal.

Mr Robertson said: "An early election is essential. Any Parliamentary report, vote or debate will be benchmarked by reference to the ghastly revelations of the past fortnight. I fear that we will see the consequences of this on June 4.

"However, it is relatively easy to clear this up and start the long process of restoring people’s confidence in Parliament.

"The first thing is to publish all the receipts. Local constituency parties then need to examine them to see if their Member of Parliament is the correct person to represent them at the next General Election.

"We then need to have an early General Election so that all this can be put in front of the electorate to make a decision.

"A new Parliament could then start afresh with the long slow process of rebuilding confidence in politics. It would have a hugely cleansing effect".