Westminster's standards watchdog will today publish its report on whether John Prescott breached parliamentary rules when he stayed at the ranch of Philip Anschutz.

MPs on the cross-party House of Commons Standards and Privileges Committee met yesterday to consider a report into the stay produced by Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer.

Sir Philip has also looked into allegations surrounding an elaborate cowboy outfit given to the Deputy Prime Minister by the American billionaire, who is bidding to open a super-casino in the Millennium Dome.

Emerging from their one-and-a-half hour meeting, MPs refused to discuss their conclusions with reporters, instead issuing a brief statement.

Rumours are circulating in Westminster that Mr Prescott will receive only a "mild rebuke".

The Committee has the power to suspend MPs from the chamber, but Mr Prescott is expected to receive no more than a "slap on the wrist" if he is found to have broken the rules.

Its report will come shortly before Mr Prescott takes over the running of the country while Tony Blair is on holiday.