Chesterfield’s Lib Dem MP has been challenged to ‘come clean not play dirty’ after attempting to gain political advantage for his Councillor colleagues through manipulation of the MP expenses scandal.

Toby Perkins, Labour’s parliamentary candidate said that Mr Holmes was playing a dangerous and deceitful game by drip feeding release of his expenses whilst declining the opportunity to make a full disclosure.

As anger over the abuse of parliamentary expenses mounts, Paul Holmes MP has been hit by allegations in the Daily Telegraph that he pocketed almost £10,000 in cash in a deal that led to higher bills for taxpayers.

The allegations which can be seen in The Daily Telegraph website suggest that Mr Holmes has much to explain.

However he has steadfastly refused to come clean on his expenses, in stark contrast to neighbouring Labour MP Natascha Enegl who allowed the Derbyshire Times to have unfettered access to her expenses.

Toby Perkins, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate said: “Either Mr Holmes has nothing to hide, in which case he should come clean, or he is ashamed of what will be revealed in which case the most reputable thing would be to say nothing on the subject, not drip feed the bits he thinks the public want to hear ion the run up to the election. “