THE Metropolitan Police is deciding whether to investigate Geoff Hoon after it received a complaint alleging the Derbyshire-based MP had misused his parliamentary allowances.

A spokesman for the capital's police force said it was investigating a complaint about the expenses of six MPs, including Mr Hoon.

The source of the complaint is not being revealed by the Met.

The spokesman said: "I can confirm that we have received and are currently considering a complaint alleging the misuse of expenses (by Mr Hoon).

"However I point out that we are not at the moment investigating."

Expense claims made by the member for Ashfield, who lives at Breaston, were thrust into the spotlight on Friday last week as part of an on-going investigation being run by The Daily Telegraph.

It emerged that Mr Hoon had claimed thousands of pounds to maintain and refurbish his Derbyshire home while living in Admiralty House, in a grace-and-favour apartment, as Defence Secretary.

He redecorated and re-carpeted his East Midlands property, the paper said, and claimed for regular visits to DIY stores.

In 2005 the Ashfield MP attempted to claim £1,199 for an LCD television but the parliamentary authorities only agreed to pay £750 of the bill.

The then Defence Secretary often claimed £400 a month for groceries consumed at his Derbyshire home, according to The Telegraph, and the taxpayer picked up his gardening and cleaning bills.

Mr Hoon then bought a Georgian townhouse in a square close to Parliament and told the Commons authorities that this was now his second home – the one that he was allowed to claim for.

His monthly mortgage interest claim — which had previously been about £270 a month on the Derbyshire property — tripled to some £900 a month and he also claimed hundreds of pounds on new equipment.

In the two years after purchasing the property he paid more than £500 for new flooring, bought a wardrobe, lighting, a washing machine and bedroom furniture.

He also bought a £449 television and used allowances to pay more than £800 cleaning curtains and carpets.

Mr Hoon was unavailable for comment.