Shahid Malik is expected to resume his ministerial career today after being cleared by a watchdog over his housing arrangements.

The former justice minister stepped down last month pending an investigation into whether he had breached the ministerial code but he may be among junior ministerial appointments announced as part of Gordon Brown’s ongoing reshuffle.

There was no suggestion that the MP for Dewsbury broke parliamentary rules on expenses but his conduct as a minister was scrutinised by Sir Philip Mawer, the Prime Minister's official adviser on ministerial interests.

“Naturally, I am very pleased and relieved that the inquiry into allegations that I had breached the ministerial code has cleared me of any wrongdoing,” he said.

“I always welcomed Sir Philip’s inquiry as an opportunity to clear my name and I am delighted that this has now been achieved.”

The Prime Minister required his minister to stand aside in May after an investigation of his expenses claims appeared to show that he had failed to declare that he was receiving a subsidised rent.

He was alleged to have claimed the maximum amount allowable — £66,827 over three years — on his second home in London but obtained a discounted rent of £100 a week on his main family home in his Yorkshire constituency, which he paid out of his own pocket.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Mr Malik’s claims were the highest figure for any MP. These claims were said to include £2,600 for a home cinema system - which was cut in half by the Commons Fees Office - £730 for a “massage chair”, and £65 for a court summons for the non-payment of council tax.

Mr Malik today criticised the reporting of the allegations saying it led people to believe the inquiry was about expenses, rather than an alleged breach of the Ministerial Code.

He said: “I was angered and hurt by the false allegations in The Telegraph newspaper article and the media frenzy that ensued.

“Having subsequently read a transcript of the Telegraph interview that led to the article, I have been shocked at just how deeply flawed and inaccurate it was.

“Lazy reporting by segments of the media has caused great confusion, with many believing that the inquiry was about expenses, rather than an alleged breach of ministerial code.

“It took me 15 years to build my name and reputation and tragically it was trashed in one mad media day.”

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