SENIOR Tories were last night ordered to repay thousands of pounds of expenses after David Cameron said he was “appalled” at allegations of abuse.

The Conservative leader told all shadow cabinet members at the centre of controversial claims to refund the taxpayer - and threatened to expel any MP who refused to do so.

The move stole a march on Gordon Brown, who has been accused of failing to act swiftly against Cabinet ministers accused of lavish spending and tax-dodging.

Last night, chief whip Nick Brown was meeting Labour MPs hit by expenses allegations, fuelling speculation that the prime minister will - belatedly - announce a similar crackdown.

Meanwhile, a senior North-East MP risked a further public backlash by suggesting Westminster salaries should rise from £64,766 to £92,000 - scrapping the notorious second home, or additional cost, allowance altogether.

Sir Stuart Bell, the veteran Middlesbrough MP, said the move was the only way to restore the “reputation” of parliament, insisting the taxpayer would benefit overall.

Mr Cameron acted after the extraordinary latest twist in the expenses scandal, with revelations of claims by Tory MPs for moat-clearing, swimming pool maintenance, a chandelier, gardening and even horse manure.

He announced an overhaul, under which his MPs will only be allowed to claim for basic costs on second homes, such as rent and utility bills, and not for furniture, or home improvements.

A new ‘scrutiny panel’ will review every “excessive” expense claim, to decide whether it should be paid back, and there will be a ban on avoiding tax on property sales.

Mr Cameron said: “Some MPs have done things that were wrong. I don't care if it was within the rules - they were wrong.

“When I read about the swimming pools, the moats, I am completely appalled. Most of my colleagues are appalled. People want something done about this.”

Referring to his colleagues, he added: “If they had not paid back what they should not have claimed they would not have been in the shadow cabinet. They would have been sacked, that's quite clear.”

Mr Cameron himself will repay the £680 he had claimed to have wisteria and vines removed from the chimney of his constituency home, in Oxfordshire.

Among the shadow cabinet writing cheques to the Commons fees office are: * Shadow Schools Secretary Michael Gove - £7,000 for furnishing a London property.

* Shadow Commons Leader Alan Duncan - almost £5,000 for gardening expenses.

* Shadow health Secretary Andrew Lansley - £2,600 for home improvements.

* Shadow Chancellor George Osborne - £440.62 for a chauffeur to drive him from Cheshire to London.

* Oliver Letwin, in charge of the Tories' general election manifesto - £2,000 to replace a leaking pipe under a tennis court.

Mr Cameron also announced that the shadow cabinet, and then all Tory MPs, would publish every expense claim online “for everyone to see”

Meanwhile, Sir Stuart, who sits on the Commons estimates committee which has examined expenses reform, said he now believed the solution was a £92,000 salary for all MPs.

He said: “We have got to get rid of this additional cost allowance - it's got to go. It has to be merged with an MP’s salary. The two should come together.

"The reason why it has not been done up until now is that it seems like a pay rise, but it would actually be cutting the allowance and it would get back the reputation of parliament.”