AN investigation has started after an MP was accused of using public money to send letters to people outside her constituency.

Lewisham Liberal Democrat councillor Cllr Mark Morris made the allegation in a letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

It came after a report, containing an invitation to join MP for Lewisham East Bridget Prentice's support network, was delivered to Mr Morris's home in Catford's Rushey Green ward in July.

Mr Morris claims that, since his local MP is Jim Dowd, the newsletter has broken parliamentary guidelines on the use of communications allowances.

He calims the letter was sent because Rushey Green and the Catford South ward are moving into Ms Prentice's constituency at the next election due to boundary changes.

Mr Morris said: "She has no right to spend taxpayer money claiming to represent people that are not within her constituency."

Parliamentary commissioner for standards John Lyon has confirmed the complaint will be investigated.

In a statement Ms Prentice said: "I enjoy engaging with members of the public - it's the best part of my job and I take it very seriously.

"Clearly it is proper that the commissioner looks seriously at all complaints he receives and it is equally proper that I make no comment on his work."