LABOUR Party members from a North East constituency are satisfied that their MP has no questions to answer over her expenses.

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, said members of her Constituency Labour Party (CLP) are more concerned with local issues than the expenses scandal.

Ms Goodman discussed her expenses with the CLP executive in May but some ordinary members complained about being excluded from the meeting.

On Saturday morning every member of the CLP was invited to a meeting at King James I Community Arts College, in Bishop Auckland, and could view her full expenses list.

Ms Goodman said last night: "People were much more interested in getting on with real issues and finding out local people's concerns so we can work on them."

Last month The Daily Telegraph revealed that Ms Goodman claimed £519.13 for a week in a holiday cottage in Teesdale, £350 for an antique desk and submitted a claim for a £42.18 hotel bill before her election in 2005.

The hotel claim was rejected and Ms Goodman defended the cottage claim saying it was cheaper than a hotel and at the time she did not have a constituency home.

CLP secretary Marjorie Kellett said: "Every member was free to view her expenses on Saturday and in a question and answer session there wasn't a single question on expenses.

"They were there to examine, nobody raised any concerns and I hope we can draw a line under it now."