A senior Labour MP is facing an expenses probe after using taxpayers' money to send a mailshot to local party members.

Adam Ingram, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow, appears to have breached Westminster's tight allowances rules after using House of Commons notepaper for Labour business.

A complaint about the former armed forces minister has been made to the parliament's Sergeant-At-Arms.

Westminster rules state that MPs may only use Commons notepaper and pre-paid envelopes for business "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" incurred on parliamentary duties. Party activity, such as using stationery for partisan statements or fundraising, is forbidden.

Ingram's mailshot, dated July 2007 and which starts "Dear members", was sent to local activists in the form of a summary of recent political events.

The letter has prompted a member of the public to demand an inquiry into his use of allowances. A letter of complaint has been sent to the parliament's Sergeant-At-Arms, who enforces the expenses rules.

Ingram said: "Thank you for drawing this matter to my attention. I will speak to the Sergeant-at-Arms' office on Monday for clarification on use of the paper."