Click to play videoBeaconsfield (United Kingdom): The expense scandal that hit British Parliament in the summer has claimed another victim – India-born peer, Lord Swaraj Paul.
According to the Sunday Times newspaper, the Labour peer claimed £110,000 in 'night subsistence' expenses, meant for out-of-town members, despite living in London, where he owns luxury properties.
“It makes no difference if you have houses in London. If you have a house out of London, as I do, this is entitled. And I have been a very regular member of House of Lords, with high attendance, so it works out more,” Lord Swraj Paul said.
A 250-acre country home was bought by Lord Paul in 2006 and this entitled him to a night subsistence allowance as per the rules of House of Lords. Lord Paul says he hasn't broken rules and claimed what he is entitled to.
Members of Britain's Upper House do not get salaries. Instead they are entitled to expenses, including day and night subsistence allowance, office and travel allowance.
The system is currently under review and The Senior Salaries Review Body will put forth its recommendations later this month.
"I follow laws/rules. I don't change unless rules change. If they change rules, I won’t claim, even if I do claim I will never be paid,” Lord Paul said.
Lord Paul is the Chairman of the £1.5-billion Caparo group. He became a life peer in 1996 and is a close aide of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Last year, he was appointed a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, the first Asian to hold the post.
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