Watchdog to look at Labour peer's expenses

A HOUSE of Lords standards watchdog is to look into a complaint over the expenses of former Labour chairman Lord Clarke of Hampstead, it was announced yesterday.

Clerk of the Parliaments Michael Pownall said he had referred Lord Clarke's case to the House of Lords Sub-Committee on Lords' Interests.

Lord Clarke was told on Friday that he will not face criminal charges over allegations relating to his claims for overnight allowances. Three Labour MPs and one Conservative peer are facing prosecution for false accounting.

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But yesterday's announcement raises the possibility that the Labour peer may face some form of parliamentary discipline, if allegations that he claimed expenses to stay in London while returning to his home in St Albans are upheld.

Mr Pownall also announced he had rejected complaints about the expenses of nine other peers.