The Speaker of the Commons is facing a revolt over his decision to fight the release of MPs expenses in the High Court after the Liberal Democrats formally declared their opposition to the appeal.

Nick Clegg is calling for the immediate publication of the data relating to 14 MPs — including the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell and Mark Oaten — after the disclosure order by the Information Tribunal. Details about other MPs' expenses would follow in October

Michael Martin revealed yesterday that he wanted to mount a legal challenge against the tribunal's order to reveal details of every item MPs spent under their £23,000 second-home allowance.

Although initial legal advice was that such a court action could not be won, Mr Martin found a second lawyer over the weekend who suggested that there was a chance of an appeal being successful.

Today the Liberal Democrats urged the Speaker to publish all the details, minus MPs' addresses, as soon as possible. They said that they did not believe it merited a costly High Court action.

Paul Burstow, the party's chief whip, contacted Mr Martin to raise concern over the issue and to ask when the expenses details would be released.

A spokeswoman for Mr Clegg said: “We agree with the appeal about the publication of addresses, but that doesn't mean that the rest of the expenses cannot be published now.”

This came after Mr Martin told MPs that they could not raise the High Court battle over their expenses in the House. Amid signs of a backlash from some MPs over the decision to appeal against the release of their second-home allowance claims, Mr Martin said the matter was sub-judice.

His comments came as David Winnick, the Labour MP, raised concerns in the chamber about the surprise move, announced yesterday at the 11th hour. The MP was cut off by Mr Martin, who said: “This matter is before the court and therefore it is sub-judice for the House of Commons.

“I know that the media can talk about it, but for the House of Commons the rules are quite clear.”

Speaking outside the chamber shortly after the exchange, Mr Winnick criticised the decision by the Commons Commission, which is chaired by Mr Martin, to begin an appeal without consulting MPs.

He said: “The House of Commons Commission was wrong to take this case to the appeal court, except on the question of addresses, without consulting Members. It's been done in a way that suggests this is the unanimous view of the House of Commons, and that is not the case.

“The danger is, unfortunately, that people get the impression that we have something to hide.”

The legal challenge is expected to cost more than £100,000 — on top of the £52,000 the Commons has already spent opposing Freedom of Information rulings.

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