EXPENSE claims made by the leader of Essex County Council, Lord Hanningfield, are being investigated by police, it emerged today.
James Hore
EXPENSE claims made by the leader of Essex County Council, Lord Hanningfield, are being investigated by police, it emerged today.
The Conservative peer claimed more than �100,000 over a seven-year period for staying in the capital, despite his close proximity to London.
He said today he could justify all the expense claims and claimed a “vindictive campaign” is being carried out against him.
He said: “I work extremely hard on the frontbench and am satisfied that I can account for my expenses.”
He lives in West Hanning�field, near Chelmsford and according to the Daily Telegraph Scotland Yard detectives want to establish whether he stayed in London on the days he claimed to have done, and not at his home.
Lord Hanningfield is also entitles to expenses as leader of council and claimed expenses of �59,110 in 2006-07, including �36,030 as leader, �5,319 for travel and �7,466 for fares and subsistence.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “The MET Police has launched an investigation into claims of misuse of expenses by a small number of MPs and peers.
“We are not commenting on individual cases,” he added.
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