SOUTH SOMERSET MP Marcus Fysh has responded to accusations that failed to declare some costs in his election-winning campaign.

An investigation by Mirror found that Mr Fysh and 23 other Conservative candidates didn’t declare the costs of controversial RoadTrip battlebuses when declaring their election budget locally.

Of these candidates, 20 could have breached strict campaign spending limits.

However, Conservatives, including Marcus Fysh, have denied the costs should have been declared as part of local campaigns.

Talking to Mirror in response to the claims, Mr Fysh said: "My election expense return for the 2015 election was completed and returned by my election agent in accordance with the law.

"It included all items authorised by my election agent for use in my campaign. I signed the necessary declaration on that basis.

"I am aware that CCHQ campaigned across the UK for the return of a Conservative Government, including in seats such as mine.

"Such campaigning would be part of the national return not within our local return."

Marcus Fysh beat Liberal Democrat David Laws by 5,313 votes.

The South Somerset MP declared £14,870.73 of local election, with his spending limit set at £16,242.54.

Breaching the strict spending limit is a criminal offence and could lead to calls for by-elections.

But one Labour MP, John Mann, has insisted the expenses should have been declared.

“The RoadTrip costs should be part of the local spend,” he said to Mirror.

"It was explicit support to promote a particular candidate. There were costs and expenses such as the travel being provided.

“That’s unquestionably an election expense for the candidate being promoted and they need to account for it.

"It’s a matter for police and I’d expect there to be challenges to the results in those constituencies.”