Lords to probe expenses of baroness (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Lords to probe expenses of baroness

2:57pm Friday 12th March 2010 in

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A House of Lords investigation into the expenses claims of Labour peer Baroness Uddin is to be reopened, it was announced after prosecutors decided not to bring criminal charges.

Clerk of the Parliaments Michael Pownall said he had referred the complaint about her claims to the sub-committee on Lords' Interests.

Mr Pownall, the senior official in the upper House, had previously suspended his inquiries while the police carried out their investigation.

Specialist legal experts had spent weeks examining a Metropolitan Police file of evidence against her. The peer faced allegations that she claimed tens of thousands of pounds in allowances for a flat she rarely used.

But Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said there was a "very real difficulty" in interpreting the definition of "only or main" residence for peers.

Lady Uddin said she was "relieved" that her ordeal had finally ended, adding: "I only wish now to say thank you to everyone who supported me through a very difficult time."

Baroness Uddin faced allegations that she dishonestly claimed cash for overnight stays in London as, although she nominated a flat in Maidstone, Kent, as her main residence, her home was in east London. Mr Starmer said the definition of "only or main residence" under the House of Lords' expenses scheme was "critical" to any possible criminal proceedings. But he said the phrase was not defined in the scheme itself or in any legislation, leaving prosecutors with a problem.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance campaign group, said: "It is intensely disappointing that the CPS have decided not to fully test the case against Baroness Uddin in court. It isn't good enough for them just to shrug their shoulders and sweep these serious allegations under the carpet."

Lady Uddin could still be disciplined by the Lords authorities if the sub-committee finds she breached the guidelines for allowances, but she expressed relief that the prospect of criminal prosecution had been lifted.

"I am relieved this ordeal has finally come to an end and I only wish now to say thank you to everyone who supported me through a very difficult time and I now wish to return back to my professional life," she told reporters outside her house in Shadwell, east London.