The latest MPs forced out by the expenses scandal were on Thursday night adamant they had done nothing wrong, as signs emerged of a modest backlash against the public desire for retribution.

Margaret Moran, Labour backbencher, drew intense media fire and a threat by television personality Esther Rantzen to stand against her in her Luton constituency after it had emerged that she had claimed £22,500 for dry rot work on a house in Southampton.