A Conservative MP, who was last week promoted to Minister for Africa in the reshuffle, attempted to claim a £50 donation to a local hospice as an expense, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

Harriett Baldwin, whose new brief includes organising humanitarian responses, charity and the use of UK aid in Africa, purchased a ticket for an awards ceremony hosted by St. Richard's Hospice in her constituency of West Worcestershire, the proceeds of which went to the charity.

The claim, which was rejected by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), includes a copy of a thank you note given to the MP by a fundraiser at the hospice thanking her for her “generosity.”

The rejected claim, which has emerged following a freedom of information request, raises questions over the decision to appoint Ms Baldwin as Minister for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID).

Last week Ms Baldwin said that she was “honoured” by the appointment and looked forward to “finding new ways to fight poverty, minimise threats and build mutual prosperity.”