Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling said he had 'robust discussions' with outgoing chief prisons inspector as allegations surfaced he tried to influence a report while he was justice secretary.

Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of Prisons since 2010, claimed in an interview that Mr Grayling, who was in charge of prisons in his role between 2012 and 2015, was concerned an official report would find staff shortages, overcrowding and various policy changes contributed to poor outcomes in prisons.

Mr Hardwick told the Guardian: “I was very clear about that, and he disagreed very strongly with that conclusion.”

Mr Hardwick last month told a House of Commons select committee Mr Grayling ‘robustly’ tried to influence reports, but has since said this was misleading, admitting most conversations took place after publication.

He said: “The only time he tried to deliberately try to influence a report was an annual report where he said ‘This is what I think should be in your annual report’.

“And I said ‘That’s very interesting’ and then went away and wrote my report.

“He was telling me the points he hoped I would make that were positive, and I didn’t think it was his place to say that.”

Your Local Guardian:

As Justice Secretary Mr Grayling was in charge of prisons between 2012 and 2015

Mr Grayling, now leader of the House of Commons, said: "We had robust discussions.

"We got on pretty well."

He added: “We always had a courteous relationship and Mr Hardwick did a good job as chief prisons inspector."

In the Ministerial Code, it states "the principle of collective responsibility requires that ministers should be able to express their views frankly in the expectation that they can argue freely in private while maintaining a united front when decisions have been reached."

Ministers are not allowed to see reports in advance of publication.