ALDERSHOT MP Gerald Howarth is facing calls to resign from angry voters over his response to the MPs’ expenses scandal.

The Conservative, who represents Aldershot, Farnborough and Yateley, has been accused of "arrogance" and abusing the trust of his constituents over the issue, after making comments to GetHampshire a fortnight ago.

The details of Mr Howarth’s expense claims have yet to be published.

However, his response to the revelations, in which he said he could be earning more than his £64,766 MP’s salary in the City - his previous job before entering Parliament - has provoked an angry response from people in his constituency.

But in a statement to the News & Mail, Mr Howarth said he "greatly regretted" the impression of arrogance.

"If any of your readers have felt that I have been arrogant in my reaction, I greatly regret that, as nothing could be further from my intentions," he said.

"I am deeply conscious of the public concern and anger over this issue."

Mr Howarth said he was and wanted to be accountable to his constituents.

While the additional costs allowance allowed MPs to be reimbursed for council tax, mortgage costs and repairs on their second homes, he had not received cash for home improvements on his Farnborough house, Mr Howarth said.

He said that while he had been in contact with the parliamentary expense office about a new garden wall, all the work had been paid out of his own pocket, as was a house extension.

"I have been reimbursed for the cost of a small number of household items, including for the cost of a sofa which I bought at the Bentalls clearance sale at their warehouse in Farnborough," Mr Howarth said.

For more on this story, see the Aldershot News & Mail, out on Friday, May 29.