The borough’s MPs have avoided being named and shamed in the ongoing scandal over expenses – but have hit out at the system which allowed such abuses.

Details of the expenses the country’s MPs claim have been laid bare over the past two weeks and the public have reacted angrily to news of some of the claims – including former cabinet minister Douglas Hogg claiming for more than £2,000 to clear a moat around his Lincolnshire estate and former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell claiming nearly £10,000 to refurbish his second home.

But both Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, and Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, who do not claim for a second home close to the House of Commons, avoided criticism.

Both called for reform of the system in the wake of the scandal, with Dr Cable saying the revelations had done “terrible damage” to the reputation of Parliament and Ms Kramer describing the behaviour of some MPs as “scandalous”.

Dr Cable added: “The main issue for us within commuting distance has been whether or not to claim for a second home near Westminster.

“Since Parliamentary business was changed some years ago to stop most of the late night sittings this is, frankly, no longer justified.

“Hence, my party’s outer London MPs, including me, do not claim and a few other MPs from further afield – Reading and Cambridge – do not claim either.

“MPs who do will have to explain to the public why they find it necessary.

“My approach to MPs’ allowances is to ensure I don’t personally benefit, but I try to ensure – using the allowances – that my staff are of high quality and properly paid and that my office is run on a professional line.

“But the whole system needs an overhaul very quickly to purge the dishonesty and the culture of maximising personal advantage.”

Ms Kramer said: “I have always believed honesty, openness and transparency are fundamental principles which must be applied to expenses.

“Politicians of all parties need to realise people have a right to know where their money is going.

“I have always believed MPs should be totally open about what they have claimed for.

“I have never claimed for a second home, or any of the trappings that come with it.

“I have always been completely against the idea that London MPs should be able to claim a second home allowance.”