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Lib Dem peer cleared of 'dodgy' expenses
21 Oct 2009Former Liberal Democrat chief executive Lord Rennard was cleared of wrongdoing in relation to his expenses.
House of Lords authorities investigated the peer after receiving a complaint that he claimed £41,000 for staying overnight in London to attend Parliament when he owns a house just two miles from Westminster.
Lord Rennard announced in May that he was stepping down as the Lib Dems' elections supremo, following press allegations that he spent little time at the Eastbourne flat which he designates his main address. He insisted at the time that his resignation was not due to the expenses row.
Clerk of the Parliaments Michael Pownall published a ruling yesterday in which he found that Lord Rennard's claims for overnight subsistence allowance were "in accordance with the rules and guidance on Members' expenses applicable at the time".
He rejected allegations that Lord Rennard claimed overnight subsistence for days when he did not attend the Lords. And he did not uphold claims that the peer's main home was in London.
Mr Pownall carries out initial investigations into allegations against peers and refers those where he suspects wrongdoing to the Lords Committee on Privileges.
In a letter setting out his findings, he said Lord Rennard had indicated that since buying the Eastbourne property after his wife's retirement in 2007, he spent most of his time there when Parliament was not sitting. The peer's claim forms also showed he travels to the East Sussex resort town "quite regularly" at weekends.
"In view of the assurances by Lord Rennard about the change in his circumstances and the time he spends in Eastbourne, and in the absence of any definition of 'main address' in the current guidance to the House of Lords' Members Expenses Scheme, I have come to the conclusion that I should not uphold the complaint," wrote Mr Pownall.
Reader views (3)
What a "noble" peer. Why doesn't Clegg withdraw the whip? No, don't bother answering that question.
- Thomas, London, 21/10/2009 10:07
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What did Joe Public expect? The police? Handcuffs? Court? Jury? Verdict? Prison?
Oh! No! M'Lud!!
Just a cosy in-House (of Frauds) whitewash and everything will carry on as usual.
Blatant theft and nothing else.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 21/10/2009 09:29
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They are all closing ranks. There is nothing thicker than a bunch of thieves when they are thieving.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 21/10/2009 09:19
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