Peer told to apologise for false claims

Lord Clarke of Hampstead has already repaid expenses totalling 9,190 to the House authorities after newspaper allegations sparked a police investigation.

The Crown Prosecution Service announced in February that Lord Clarke would not be charged as there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.

Members of the House of Lords are not paid a salary but peers whose main home is outside Greater London can claim night subsistence of up to 154.50 if they spend the night in the capital before or after attending a sitting or meeting at Parliament.

The peer – a trade unionist and former chairman of the Labour Party – has claimed he was only following advice he had been given on making claims.