Labour’s Andrew Dismore, MP for Hendon in north-west London, has fought back against claims that he abused the parliamentary allowance system.

Speaking exclusively to the JC, Mr Dismore said he was the victim of a smear campaign targeting members of the Commons Standards and Privileges committee, on which he serves.

The Daily Telegraph claimed the Hendon MP claimed for 5,360 miles of car journeys (the equivalent of three return journeys a day). It is also alleged that Mr Dismore split £65,000 of second home allowances between two properties in London.

“What this is about is trying to destroy the Standards and Privileges committee,” he said. “They want the stocks and gallows erected in Parliament Square. Even MPs deserve a fair trial,” he said.

The Daily Telegraph had “declared war” on his committee because the group was prepared to give MPs a fair hearing, he said.

Mr Dismore said much of his mileage was from journeys around his constituency.

He said his constituents, a large number of whom are Jewish, had been supportive since the story broke, with most of the critical emails he has received coming from outside the constituency.