Labour’s “star chamber” is to discuss the future of four MPs accused of irregularities in their expenses. One of the four will face a challenge from Esther Rantzen at the next election.

A national executive “endorsement panel” will consider the allegations against Elliot Morley, David Chaytor, Ian Gibson, and Margaret Moran, the target of Ms Rantzen. Mr Morley and Mr Chaytor have been suspended from the parliamentary party.

Ms Rantzen, 68, a television presenter, said yesterday that she would stand for election in Luton South if the current MP stood again. Ms Moran has been criticised after claiming £22,500 for treating dry rot at her home in Southampton, 100 miles from her constituency.

The Conservative Party is stepping up the examination of all its MPs’ expenses. The Times has been told that a study of all claims will have been completed within days. A panel headed by the Chief Whip is considering any claims deemed excessive and ordering the MPs to pay back money to the taxpayer. By the middle of next month the panel will reveal details of how much has been paid back, and by whom.

Ms Moran will be one of the four MPs considered today by the Labour panel. It could then ask constituency parties to deselect their MP. The position of Ms Moran looks perilous and her constituency chairman, Mahmood Hussain, said that his party was waiting for a decision from the NEC regarding her future before it responded to Esther Rantzen’s move.

Ms Rantzen said: “I am absolutely shocked by an opaque process where nobody — nobody in Westminster, nobody in Luton South — knows what’s happening with Margaret Moran, and I think that’s a symptom of what is wrong with our current attitude. I think certainly the people in Luton South deserve to know how she claims her allowances, what the Labour Party intends to do. So I can’t tell you at this moment whether or not she will be deselected, but if she stands, I will stand.”

Ms Rantzen said that even if Ms Moran did not stand, she may still consider standing for election “to give the voters in Luton South a choice”.

The broadcaster said that she was impressed by the “galvanising” effect the expenses scandal was having on the main political parties and praised David Cameron, the Conservative leader, for “throwing the windows and doors open”.

The possibility of her standing concerned potential rivals in Luton. Nigel Huddleston, the Conservative Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Luton South, said that her involvement could split the anti-Moran vote and help Labour to win again.

David Van Day, 52, a pop singer, has announced that he is considering standing as a candidate against Nadine Dorries, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire. The Tory MP is said to have claimed for a hotel room on New Year’s Eve and a second home allowance while having only one property, allegations that she denies.

Last night it emerged that John Greenway, the Conservative MP for Ryedale, claimed £500 for plants for his south London home and 59p for a box of matches. He also claimed for two boxes of firelighters worth 99p each, four bags of compost, a trellis and plant food. Under Commons rules, MPs are only able to claim for garden maintenance bills. He also spent more than £3,500 on household goods and furnishings, including redecorating bills. Mr Greenway, an MP since 1987, bought the house in South London with his wife Sylvia for £211,000. Shortly after the redecoration, they sold the house for £493,000 in September 2006.

Last night HM Revenue and Customs said that more than 40 Government ministers who have recouped the cost of accountancy bills on their expenses should have paid tax in the same way as ordinary voters. “The costs of complying with the law are not an allowable expense against tax. This rule applies across the board.”

A statement issued by ministers including Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted they had met their tax liabilities.

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