The National Audit Office has been forced to admit that it is looking at the disclosure of further previously undisclosed benefits received by comptroller general Sir John Bourn.

Following revelations in Private Eye magazine that Sir John is taken to and from work in a chauffeur-driven car without declaring any benefit in the NAO’s annual report, a spokesman has admitted: ‘We will be considering the approach to disclosure for the 2007/08 accounts.’

Accounts for departments whose heads receive a similar perk do reveal the benefit in their remuneration reports. HMRC chairman Paul Gray, for example, is shown in receipt of a benefit from the private use of an official car.

Coming after revelations that benefits arising from Sir John’s wife’s travel expenses were not reported as benefits, the latest disclosure will further embarrass the body responsible for auditing government.