She added: “After that rule was changed, I reverted to the reality, given that I spend more of my time in Liverpool than I do in London.”

Defending her bathroom claim, she added: “I informed the Department of Finance and Administration in advance that some of the work was improvement and not to be claimed and some was repairs and redecoration, which is allowed.

“I asked their advice about how much should be claimed on the basis of the information I had given them and they suggested the figure of £3,500, which I accepted.”

The MP also lent her support to cleaning up the expenses rules.

She said: “I have been scrupulous about adhering to the rules and ensuring good stewardship of public funds, mindful it is taxpayers’ money.

“It is right the rules are now changed, given some of the revelations of recent days. In my own case however, I am confident I have achieved the appropriate balance between seeking the support I need to perform my duties as a minister and as MP for Liverpool Garston and responsible use of the allowances available to me.”

Ms Eagle stressed she had no reason to apologise.

She said: “This is entirely consistent with the rules and the spirit of the rules.”

On Friday, the Daily Post published a table which listed every local MP’s “second home” claims for the past four years.

The first column listed claims for 2004-05, but were, in fact, the claims made the previous year of 2003-04.