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Sleaze row peer claims £400,000 just in expenses
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent27.01.09
ONE of the peers at the centre of corruption allegations has claimed nearly £400,000 of taxpayers' money in expenses, the Standard can reveal today.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn ran up the bill over seven years. The former council leader has by far one of the best attendance records at the House of Lords - turning up on average 148 days a year.
However, his extensive list of work as an adviser to companies and his directorships have raised questions over whether he is using the Lords to pursue his business interests.
The Sunday Times yesterday released a recording of a meeting between the peer and an undercover reporter in which he boasted that he could earn up to £100,000 a year from his work for companies.
He is one of four Labour peers being investigated over cash-for-influence claims.
Lord Taylor, 79, claimed the expenses between April 2001 and March 2008. He billed the taxpayer for nearly £168,000 for overnight subsistence payments. Peers could claim up to £165.50 a time for this allowance in the last financial year. He also claimed nearly £72,000 for day subsistence which was paid in 2007-08 at up to £82.50 a day to cover meals and "incidental" travel.
Separately, his travel bill totalled £70,500, including £9,722 in 2006-07 for flights, while his office costs amounted to just over £78,000. The total comes to £388,500 for the seven year period.
Conservative party chairman Eric Pickles said: "This is a serious matter and we need a full investigation into the use of taxpayers' money. If Labour peers are shown to have broken the rules, then Gordon Brown must remove the whip and expel them from the Labour Party.
"We also need to look at the sanctions faced by those peers found to have broken the rules."
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "This is a very large amount of money to claim on expenses, and taxpayers deserve to be told what it has been spent on.
"This latest scandal raises serious questions about what peers are using their privileges and power for. The whole system needs to be made public and fully transparent to ensure that taxpayers' generosity is not being abused for personal gain."
Lord Taylor declares non-parliamentary consultancy work including as an adviser to Experian Ltd, NPL Estates, Alcatel-Lucent, Canatxx Energy Ventures Ltd, BT plc, Gersphere UK Ltd and T-Systems Ltd, as well as being president of the Wrens Hotel Group, according to the Register of Lords' Interests.
His remunerated directorships include non-executive roles for A Division Holdings Ltd, Eisis Ltd, Building Themes International and Pine Mountain Resorts.
Lord Taylor could not be contacted for comment today.
Lord Taylor, who married in 1950, has one son, and was made leader of Blackburn town council in the early 1970s.
He worked in the social administration department at Manchester University and was made a peer in 1978 during James Callaghan's premiership.
He is now a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, a Freeman of the City of London and of the Borough of Blackburn.
He lists his interests as education, railways, energy, local government, Croatia, and his recreations as gardening, radio, books and music.
Reader views (67)
not one of these dishonest shysters will be investigated by the police or HM Revenue and Customs. Anybody care to take a bet on that?
- Dj Smith, truro england
cough (cover up) cough
ah(fix)tishoo
more tea (freemasons secret societies) your honourable lord
- Kiki, london uk
£400,000 in expenses, what a gravy train.No wonder the country is in a right mess.
- Stan White, leeds
Republic please, France & Poland do ok with a Senate & House of Assembly but without the silly fancy facade of nobility a leftover from the Middle Ages.
Perhaps this will help reduce the class wars that divide us?.
- Gordon, UK
Here we go again. MP's and Lords all have their snouts in the trough and have for years.
They must realise the public will not put up with this.
SHAME!
- Thomas Irvine, london
New Labour New Sleaze...
- David Moon, Seaford, UK
Might I refer readers to the libretto of Gilbert & Sullivan's Operetta Iolanthe. Everything you ever doubted about the HoL is there. In over 100 years, little has changed.
- Joannie, London, England
snout firmly in the trough...
- John, london
Labour is corrupt, not sleazy, plain corruption and on a massive scale.
Labour 'spin doctors' were inserted all through the government, who are professionals in pure deception. The 'good day to bury bad news' labour attitude to media and public manipulation. Labour using the £1bn government advertising budget, the biggest in the UK, to promote 'Labour', not UK government'.
Labour selling peerages and honours, and insiders say the only modern government departments are the press offices with their monthly 'bring out bad news days', when a big media story diverts attention.
Everything Labour stands for is corrupt. The Treasury is now reported as 'hiding' the costs of bank rescues. The News reports 'Government preferred measures' as if they accept Labour measures are fake and corrupt.
The whole edifice of labour is so full of corruption, with people and false ideals all pretending to solve everything, and make everyone equal. In fact the rhetoric corrupts, makes more problems, and degrades people by removing their self respect, and leads to state dependency and financial crisis.
- Jimmy, Bradford
I DO hope that everyone remembers this story when they stand in the Ballot Box at the General Election.
We should all be voting for just ONE party......
THE "ANYONE BUT LABOUR" PARTY.
Let's do some research before we place our vote and use it wisely to vote for the candidate best placed to remove a sitting Labour MP or prevent a prospective Labour candidate getting in......DON'T WASTE VOTES!
They don't grow on trees.........and if Labour get any worse, they may be removed from us altogether.
- Silent Hunter, Stirling
House of Lords is a joke and this proves it value for money never
- Michael Church, london
How can any sane person have any faith in the likes of our Peers when we have seen nothing but Bribery, corruption and scandal from all the parties....... This latest plague in the Lords reinforces the need for the British Police to stamp down hard on these corrupt individuals who are so removed from complying with the laws they make that they cannot recognise their own criminality..... Someone please get a strong grip of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, they are making a complete mess of what Britain once stood for !!
- Pete Collins, London - UK
The whole place needs a root and branch shake-up, and restructuring to make it democratic and answerable.
These are some suggestions:
Prime Minister elected directly by the electorate (as for Mayor of London).
Fixed-term parliaments (so no cut-and-run elections).
MPs acting for their constituents, voting on bills and checking government policies.
MPs not allowed to become ministers (to remove career pressure on their voting).
Fully-elected Second Chamber; to scrutinise bills, oversee integrity of government and parliament via committees, and to keep government promises.
MPs still elected by first past the post as at present.
Second Chamber members elected by proportional representation.
Some MPs elected by Commons to be observers in Cabinet.
Ministers chosen by PM from Second Chamber or from outside parliament for their expertise (no nonsense about giving them titles).
Free vote in both chambers on every bill; no whips to bully, blackmail or bribe MPs.
Government policies discussed in cabinet, then debated and voted on by Commons and Second Chamber.
This should make parliament more independent of government and answerable to the people, and government more answerable to parliament.
- Wat, Midlands, UK
I need reminding why Labour saw the need to reform the House of Lords, wasn't it to increase democratic representation? What this latest episode confirms is that Labour politicians have a contempt for tradition, for the health of society, for the rule of law and the traditions of government. While law and order are fraying at the edges can't they see that they have an obligation to set an example? Many people will ask 'if politicians can ignore the rules to feather their own nests, why shouldn't we, after all it's our money they're squeezing?
- Jeremiah, London
Oh dear, it makes me sick and ill. The ordinary decent people trying to earn a crust then these useless government leeches taking us all for a ride.
Truly sickening.
- Mis Anthrope, London
Boot him out and the rest of his cronies - the country doesn't want or need them!!!
- Maureen Cohen, London
The lies and the corruption of this government is shameless.
- Michael Riley, London
Just like every other socialist who tastes money and power - they LOVE it, they can't get enough of it and become the total hypocrites they are!!
- Nigel, St Albans, St Albans
These peers are, I suspect,just the tip of the 'milk the taxpayers" iceberg. They should be shamed into donating their ill-gotten fees and excessive expenses to charity. They have reinforced the suspicion that most politicians are amoral, greedy, and out solely for themselves. Bit like the bankers, really.
- Ron Oldham, Bournemouth United Kingdom
I am only happy I can admit to having no 'Lordship' on my list of friends . . . .
- Julie Asbridge, London
Yes, I agree with Freddie about scraping the Lord. Why lifetime peers??? We should elect them every 2 yrs. If someone is in position too long, they get lazy and will milk the system. By standing for election every 2 yr, we either endorse what he or she has done or bring fresh blood and ideas in.
- Peter C., London
THE MORE YOU READ ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS, THE MORE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE JUST WANT TO STAY ON THE DOLE, AVOID TAXES ETC
THERES NO DIFFERENCE AFTER ALL REALLY IS THERE?
- Staker, London
Words fail me...
- Mel Barrows, Tenerife. Canary Islands.
So the worst that can be done is to 'name and shame' errant peers ?
Haven't we just acquired a new peer - Mandelson is the name I believe.
Figure you can name, but never shame some people.
- Cap, London
You could not make it up! This man is a disgrace and brings the entire political process in this country into disrespect. If he acted within the rules, it matters not - his behavour is morally wrong! It is made even worse, because he "is" Labour. (Just what type of Labour we do not know)
We need an urgent root and branch reform of the entire public sector. MPs expenses, Lords "work and advice to companies", Council employess on £50,000 - £100,000++++ retiring at 60 on gold plated pensions, etc, etc, etc, etc,
- Jeremy E, London
These jokers have been getting away with this for centuries. Enough is enough. Scrap the Lord's.
- Freddie Jack, USA
As the saying goes, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!
- Cch, geneva, switzerland
NuLabour has betrayed the hard working, industrious, law abiding, taxpaying people of this Country and created Soviet Britain. The people of Iceland have the right idea.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset
Typical of New Labour; the electorate are here to serve those in power, rather than the other way round
- St, London
This is hard to swallow. Who exactly are these people and why is anybody giving them a job?
- Chris, London
In whatever office they hold, the greed of men will always supplement the poverty of service, given the opportunity.
- Derek Sturch, Honiton, Devon
They're only following the example set some years ago by members of the European Commission who nicked the loot with a little more elan. When their number was up, the Commission resigned en masse and they were hailed at the time as being men of honour. No such thing: by resigning it meant that no investigation was ever held; they got to keep the loot; no one knew what they'd been up to and they were not barred from Public Office. For all we know they might have been reinstated to the Commission and be doing exactly the same thing all over again. It's pointless complaining about politicians because like the Mafia they're teflon coated - but with less honour. Rather than moan I make up names for them; at the moment I call them 'Pringles'; they're lightweight, twisted and they're all the same.
- Roger Gough, Gloucester/Glos
Looks to me because of lack of meaningful controls some in high office are ripping the backside out of the Expenses/Donations/Freebies scenario. About time some of them were dealt with by the Criminal Courts as the term entitlement has to be synonymus with honesty and thereby disbars cheating which I believe is a Common Law offence.
- Robert El-Cid,, Hull, East Yorks.,
We must bring back the hereditary peers.
- Horace, London, UK
He doesn't spend the loot on designer specs does he?
- Neil, london uk,
If this man was on benefits he would be called a Scrounger. What is the Differance?
- Bill Williams, Bagnoles France
Abolish this unelected, undemocratic, anachronism.
- Mick, London, England
And there is me receiving the national pennies per week pension, how are these crettins allowed to carry on like this, its no better than stealing.
- Col, West London
Must really hack off all the other Peers. There they are grunting away at the swill in the trough and they find this prankster doing the backstroke in it.
- Minnie, London, UK
its good to see mandelson back this is just up his street
this time he can take the loot with impunity.
- Arthur Ruse, london
The film 'V for Vendetta' (2006)ended with the Houses of Parliament being blown up on Nov 5th.
That solved the problem.
HOORAY!
- Frank, Bristol UK
David Smith, Cannes, france - The greed of the labour party members knows no bounds.
Mr Conway and his well educated boys, ring a bell at all?Not for getting of course that this is only the tip of the iceberg.When the press start rooting around properly I think you will find there will be quite a few red tory faces in the mix as well.
- James Hennessy, london england
He looks like he likes a bit of Bullie doesnt he!!!
On a serious note, can you imagine the headlines if this were to happen in say, Italy? "CORRUPTION" would scream the headlines, and that is infact what it is, only in this country we call it parliamentary privilege.
- Jc, London
Are you sure this isn't Jim Bowen from that old TV show Bullseye....come on its him I swear it!
- Andrew, London
nasty people in high places, no it's not the Kremlin nor Chicago it's dear olde London Town, why do we always feel so terrbly bad when our own sort are found to be venal vermin.
- John Gill, lincoln
We have to rid the UK of its Nu Labor culture.
- Georgie, Islington, London
Interestingly none of these 4 "Noble" Lords are hereditary Peers, they are all Labour politicians and like most of their ilk, they have been rewarded for services to the Labour Party, not for their public service. Time to make all politicians accountable for their actions and to strip them of their gold plated pensions, their John Lewis list, their unaccounted for expenses etc - the list is so long.
- Keith Adams, Uckfield, UK
Remember, it was the Labour party that changed the upper house, and we can now see why.
I would much prefer to have the old House of Lords reinstated, at least the old hereditaries knew the meaning of "service".
- Anthony D Heath, Godalming
Oh leave him alone, he looks just like my grandad. This is what politicians do, pseudo or real. If you havnt worked that one out already, then you shouldnt be living in a democracy. Tongue in cheek....'to serve is to steal legally' and its made official by Um, yea, politicians themselves.
- Bondy, london
In the good old days before Tony Blair planted all these socialists in the House of Lords, we had hereditary peers of the realm who for the most part were fine, upstanding men and women of integrity.
- Kathy Doyle, London
The pigs are at the trough
- Shallotman, Basildon
Unbelievable. I now am starting to understand why our taxes are so high yet public services are mediocre: the money is squandered. Anybody accused of a criminal action should be immediately suspended yet these people get away with it. What an awful example to the rest of society.
- Phil Sergeant, London
This story reveals the rot at the heart of all political systems.
- Ex-Labour Party Member, Daventry
Peers who break the rules - currently they cannot be suspended or expelled - all they are required to do is to apologise on the floor of the Lords. They cannot be expelled from Parliament nor stripped of their titles ....and they get to keep the money!
WHAT A JOKE!
Are they 'above' the Law?
- Frank Murray, Bristol UK
The line is too fine bewteen abuse of position for personal gain and the large numbers in the Commons who take huge amounts as legit. 'consultants' [check out your own MP's record]
The cash for favours phenomenon takes many forms within both Houses.
Cinsolataion may be that for every one getting paid for their 'extra-parliamentary labours' there may be another who isn't - or am I too naive?barrie
- Barrie, essex UK
It'd be interesting to see how much of his "£168,000 for overnight subsistence payments" went to Wrens Hotel Group of which he is a director.
- Bob, Cheam
Of course the greatest joy is that this sum is tax free. To him not me.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, England
Off with his head! Where's the Queen when you want her?
- Roger, Surrey
The strong suspicion is created that Peers are declaring in section 12d rather than sections 12a-c, which is lobbying and employment arising from their position as a peer.
They should all be made to demonstrate, for each so-called non-parliamentary consultancy, that they actually possess relevant abilities, skills or experience so as to render that employment credible at the price paid, assuming they were not a peer.
If they are unable to do so convincingly, then they should be treated as the crooks, racketeers and shysters they are. Expulsion from the Lords and fines set at least at the level of the monies they received with no limit on backdating.
Legislation should be passed to this effect immediately and a full forensic audit made of all peers external employment within 30 days.
Nothing less will suffice if the reputation of the Lords is to be restored.
- An Ex-Apprentice, Peterborough UK
Geoffrey Chaucer summed it up well, "If gold rusts, what will iron do?" Whitehall was once famous in the nineteenth century as the centre of The Great Stink from the polluted river. I think Westminster's drains have clogged again. Time for an election!
- Harry Turner, Southend, UK
Another snout in the trough. It does not cost £167 to get a decent hotel in London. You also do not need to spend £82 each day on food and travel.
We are being taken for a ride by these people. Where is the 21st century's Wat Tyler to lead us in rebellion?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
No wonder Kinnock changed his 'principles' about wanting to abolish The House of Lords, and 'joined up' instead!
Oh boyo boy!
- Dave, cumbria
The entire House Of Lords system should be abolished, I am a believer in tradition but to have unelected law makers who cannot be dismissed without an act of Parliament is frankly undemocratic. The idea of the Lords was relevant in past centuries but not now. I agree we need a second tier of law makers to keep the commons in check and advise, but why not an additional bi-partisan elected body?
- Howard, London, UK
Get rid of this greedy dinosaur !!!!
- Joe, London
The greed of the Labour party members knows no bounds. A clean slate is required to expunge these despicable scroungers from our society. Bring on the tumbrils...........again. David Smith, Cannes
- David Smith, Cannes, France
It is extremely unlikely that Gordon Brown will remove the whip from this crook. His very existence in No. 10 depends upon the support of all his dishonest cronies in the Lords. Let's face it - he has no support among the electorate. The Lib/Dems must pursue this scandal with vigour and demand a police investigation and punishment for those found guilty. If the law needs to be changed in order to strip them of their titles then it MUST be changed.
- Ross, Yorks, UK
A pig with his snout in the trough. just like all the rest of them.
- Kerry, purley
