An award-winning MP is celebrating after scooping two successive gongs for her work on an influential spending watchdog.

Margaret Hodge, who chairs the House of Commons public accounts committee, won the Spectator magazine “Inquisitor of the Year” award last month and will today receive a Political Studies Association “Parliamentarian of the Year” trophy.

The Association said the Labour MP for Barking had startled Westminster with her aggression working on the committee, which scrutinises public spending including PFI projects, health and housing schemes and academies.

A spokesman said: “Margaret Hodge was selected as Parliamentarian of the Year following her success in efficiently and bravely combating government waste, notably in HM Revenue and Customs.

“Margaret Hodge has led a very considered campaign and has driven the agenda, taking on the civil service very effectively. The Westminster Village has been startled by her aggression.”