According to extracts from No Expenses Spared – a new book written by The Daily Telegraph's Robert Winnett and Gordon Rayner – staff at TSO, where the expense claims were sent for censorship, reacted with fury at the documents.

The book goes on to claim that a British Army soldier leaked the documents in protest at having to work part-time to buy vital equipment for the mission in Afghanistan.

However, TSO has firmly rejected any claims that it was responsible for the leak. A spokesman said that the company did not comment on operational issues, but repeated its statement at the time that, following a full internal security review, no breaches could be found.

Commentators have questioned The Daily Telegraph's story with some arguing that no military personnel have the time or clearance to work for private security companies.