BOURNEMOUTH MP Tobias Ellwood has apologised for 'causing offence' over complaints he had to "watch the pennies" on his MPs salary.

After two days of hostile comments on social media, and it is understood, 'the worst two days of his political life', the Bournemouth East MP has broken his silence.

The Foreign Office minister, who earns around £90,000 a year, has come in for heavy criticism after saying a pay rise for MPs was "well overdue".

In a letter to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), made public on Thursday, he wrote to "speak for the silent majority" of MPs who are not independently wealthy.

Mr Ellwood, who on top of his basic £67,060 salary, also earns around £20,000 for his ministerial role, said he would be earning far more if he had stayed in the Armed Forces.

It is understood he did not realise his letter would be made public.

Until this point, he has refused to comment publicly about the row.

In the statement issued on his official Facebook page, he said he recognises his comments on his "confidential submission" were "inappropriate and insensitive."  Read it in full here.

"Constituents' comments have been a stark personal reminder of the challenges everyone is facing and I am the wiser for it.

"I apologise for the offence I’ve caused."

The statement says his letter was a 'private' attempt to express genuine concerns over MPs pay.

But while apologising for his comments, Mr Ellwood says MP's pay structures have been a "shambles" for years, and "remain lower than the salaries of comparable public sector jobs".

He said: "We need to attract the best from all walks of life to ensure that Parliament is as representative as possible of our society in terms of its diversity.

"Given the toxic history of the topic, most people avoid any comment on MP's pay.

"If we genuinely want good people from all backgrounds to consider stepping into public service and standing for Parliament, then we cannot shy away from the awkward issue of assessing what that basic figure should be and, in doing so, attempt to draw a line under this long running debate."

He adds: "Those who know me, know that I do my best as an MP to attempt to highlight or fix what is not working – at any level and in any situation."

He said he accepts his comments were an "error of judgement".

The statement concludes: "I end where I began by saying I am sorry my private comments have caused offence.

"My private attempt to highlight the changing makeup of Parliament was flawed and has sadly underlined the perception that MPs are out of touch. That is something I very much regret and must now focus on repairing."

What do MPS get to claim for?

IT'S true to say that, even with an increased salary of £76,000, MPs will still get paid less than many head teachers, senior council officers or doctors.

But, unlike many people in other professions, they are also able to reclaim many of their additional costs under the IPSA expenses scheme.

Travel between their constituency and Westminster is covered, as is travel around the constituency.

The costs of a limited number of journeys for an MP's dependents can also be claimed, as can the cost of overnight stays away from the constituency or London on parliamentary business, or the cost of a meal when Parliament is sitting late.

It is accepted that MPs outside of London need two residences and one of these is funded by IPSA in the form of rent or hotel stays.

They are also reimbursed for the council tax, service charges, utilities and other bills on their publicly-funded property.

Office costs included rent, business rates, utilities, office equipment and constituency surgery venue hire are also covered by expenses.

And they also claim for the salary, national insurance and pension costs of their staff.