The MP who claimed for an estimated 49,000 miles in car and parking expenses (Online search terms: Anderson, expenses) has been criticised for risking her own safety and that of other road users.

In addition to claiming she drives almost 1,000 miles a week, Janet Anderson also claimed £1,700 in rail expenses over the same 12-month period.

“Ms Anderson needs to come clean on these quite unbelievable expenses,” said Roddy Graham, Leasedrive VELO commercial director.

“If the expenses claim is justified then she must take a long hard look at the safety of all road users, as we can only assume that she is driving while very tired.”

He said the MP “poses a threat to herself and other road users due to her obvious tiredness and fatigue at the wheel”.

When the House of Commons is sitting, which it does for 276 days a year, MPs can work more than 80 hours a week, with days starting before 9am and debates often running until 10pm. The safety implications of an employee working a seven-day week including many nights, and then driving some 1,000 miles would have fleet managers seriously concerned.

According to research in the British Medical Journal, 20% of collisions are caused by sleeplessness.

More than 300 people in the UK a year are killed as a result of drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

In response, Ms Anderson said: “I confirm that I frequently drive between Westminster and my constituency, though I am trying to travel more often by public transport in future.”