Robert Jenrick has repaid mileage expenses investigated as part of a five-month long probe.
The Communities Secretary claimed for both petrol costs and rail tickets for a return journey from London to his Newark constituency.
The mileage was only repaid after one of his constituents brought it to the attention of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
In a letter to the constituent, IPSA said it concluded the duplicate claim was a “genuine mistake” and asked Mr Jenrick to refund the taxpayer.
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But the expenses watchdog took months to investigate – with the complaint even ending up on the desk of the body’s chief executive.
IPSA said after “numerous” emails to Mr Jenrick’s office there was still an “element of doubt”.
So it launched another probe into his travel expenses, finding no other ambiguities.
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The constituent was told of the watchdog’s decision last week – five months after the matter was raised.
He now plans to make an official complaint to IPSA about what he claims is the Cabinet minister’s “lack of transparency” over the issue.
Mr Jenrick was in Newark on September 6, 2019 to announce the Government’s £3.6billion towns fund.
He claimed £61.20 mileage for each of two car journeys of 136 miles, and a £159 return rail fare for the visit.
His spokesman said: “As IPSA said, it was a genuine administrative error from his office and, when brought to his attention, it was repaid.”
