The MP expenses row in the UK is ongoing as The Daily Telegraph revealed controversial claims.

The controversial issue of MP expenses is ongoing in the UK, as it emerged that many cabinet and junior ministers have wrongfully claimed for the “second homes allowance”.

MPs representing seats outside central London are entitled to up to £24,006 as part of the “additional costs allowance” – which previously allowed claims of up to £250 to be made without receipts.

A year ago, the High Court backed an earlier ruling by the Information Tribunal that full details of MPs’ expenses, including receipts, should be made public. And whilst full details are set to be released in July this year, an investigation by broadsheet newspaper The Daily Telegraph has uncovered the full files – revealing substantial records of excessive expense claims.

The Daily Telegraph stressed that: “The vast majority of MPs are not breaking the letter of the rules – although some are. However, MPs use a variety of questionable techniques to “milk” the system – including “flipping” the designation of which of two properties is their “second home”, buying goods for the “wrong” home, charging for stamp duty, avoiding capital gains tax, renting out a second home, moving up the property ladder by selling second homes, charging for trivial items, overspending on food or renovations, and doing up properties just before standing down from parliament.

As the row continues, more and more ministers’ claim files are being publicised – not only from the ruling Labour party but also those from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Receipts revealed that the Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid his brother Andrew more than £6,500 for the use of a cleaner at his private flat in Westminster as well as claiming twice for a plumbing bill.

Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, over-claimed for both his council tax and mortgage bills and Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, is revealed to have changed his official “second home” designation four times in four years.

One of the more unusual claims was one detailing the cost of £2,000 for clearing a moat at the country estate of Tory MP Douglas Hogg, who also claimed for piano tuning and repairs to his stable lights.

Some Cabinet ministers are noted for their rather more straightforward claims: Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Secretary, claimed only £6,300 a year in rent for a modest home in his constituency, plus utility and council tax bills. Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, claimed for only his constituency home over the past four years. He also rented a modest property but claimed for food and some furniture. Equally, Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, claimed only £147.78 in food.

While ministers have spent the past five days defending their claims despite widespread public anger over their behaviour, Telegraph TV has emailed every MP in the House of Commons offering them the opportunity to put their side of the expenses story at a special Expenses Files video booth from 10am to 4pm today (13 May).

As of 1pm, no ministers are yet to come forward.