St Albans peer admits fiddling thousands (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans peer admits fiddling thousands

4:43pm Monday 1st June 2009

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A PEER living in St Albans has admitted claiming £18,000 a year for overnight subsistence in London despite not spending anything at all.

Lord Clarke of Hampstead, 77, told the Sunday Times he was encouraged to make such claims by House of Lords authorities to make up for not receiving a salary.

Apologising for what he called a “terrible error” and implying the practice was common, he told the paper he had claimed up to an allowance of £174 a night when staying with London friends for free or even when returning to his home in St Albans.

Formerly trade unionist Anthony Clarke, and Labour Party chairman, he has been a member of the House of Lords since 1998. Since 2001, he has claimed more than £100,00 for overnight subsistence.

He has said he will try to “make amends” after speaking to his accountants.

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