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Baroness Warsi's expenses claim referred to police by Labour MP Baroness Warsi's expenses claim referred to police by Labour MP
(about 11 hours later)
Baroness Warsi, the Conservative chairwoman, has been referred to the police by a Labour MP over allegations that she had made claims for parliamentary expenses she had not incurred. Lady Warsi, the Conservative chairman, has been referred to the police by a Labour MP over allegations that she had made claims for parliamentary expenses she had not incurred.
Karl Turner, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, said: "A criminal offence may therefore have been committed. There are serious questions to answer which is why I have written to the police to ask that an inquiry be undertaken."Karl Turner, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, said: "A criminal offence may therefore have been committed. There are serious questions to answer which is why I have written to the police to ask that an inquiry be undertaken."
In his letter to the City of London police, Turner said: "Baroness Warsi reportedly claimed parliamentary expenses of up to £165.50 per night for overnight accommodation while she was staying rent-free in a house belonging to Dr Wafik Moustafa in 2008, along with her political aide Naweed Khan.In his letter to the City of London police, Turner said: "Baroness Warsi reportedly claimed parliamentary expenses of up to £165.50 per night for overnight accommodation while she was staying rent-free in a house belonging to Dr Wafik Moustafa in 2008, along with her political aide Naweed Khan.
"Dr Moustafa has said that he never charged Mr Khan or Baroness Warsi rent, and that neither Mr Khan nor Baroness Warsi ever paid him for staying in his house. It appears that Baroness Warsi may have claimed for expenses which she did not in fact incur, and that a criminal offence may therefore have been committed. I am writing to ask that an inquiry be undertaken into whether Baroness Warsi or her aide Naweed Khan have broken the law.""Dr Moustafa has said that he never charged Mr Khan or Baroness Warsi rent, and that neither Mr Khan nor Baroness Warsi ever paid him for staying in his house. It appears that Baroness Warsi may have claimed for expenses which she did not in fact incur, and that a criminal offence may therefore have been committed. I am writing to ask that an inquiry be undertaken into whether Baroness Warsi or her aide Naweed Khan have broken the law."
Baroness Warsi has already referred herself to the Lords parliamentary commissioner for standards and it is not clear the police will want to take additional steps before that report has been compiled. Warsi has already referred herself to the Lords parliamentary commissioner for standards and it is not clear the police will want to take additional steps before that report has been compiled.
The Conservative party's decision to refuse to recognise the Conservative Arab Network of which Moustafa is chairman appears to be the reason for a sudden spate of stories about Warsi's activities many years ago. In a letter, she warned Moustafa not to use the Conservative logo for his organisation or face legal action. It The organisation still claims the support of the foreign secretary, William Hague.The Conservative party's decision to refuse to recognise the Conservative Arab Network of which Moustafa is chairman appears to be the reason for a sudden spate of stories about Warsi's activities many years ago. In a letter, she warned Moustafa not to use the Conservative logo for his organisation or face legal action. It The organisation still claims the support of the foreign secretary, William Hague.
At the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that Warsi claimed up to £165 for overnight accommodation, despite staying at a Premier Inn for less than half the price.At the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that Warsi claimed up to £165 for overnight accommodation, despite staying at a Premier Inn for less than half the price.
The paper claims Warsi paid around £75 a night to stay at the Premier Inn in Wembley while waiting for her new home to be completed.The paper claims Warsi paid around £75 a night to stay at the Premier Inn in Wembley while waiting for her new home to be completed.
Under expenses rules at the time, peers living outside London could claim up to £165.50 a day in "overnight subsistence" to cover accommodation costs while attending the House.Under expenses rules at the time, peers living outside London could claim up to £165.50 a day in "overnight subsistence" to cover accommodation costs while attending the House.
The Sunday Telegraph also reported that Warsi had not registered a controlling stake in a spice manufacturing firm with the House of Lords authorities. In a statement, she said: "My shareholdings and, before becoming a minister, directorships have at all material times been disclosed as required on the register of Lords' interests and to the Cabinet Office and on the register of ministerial interests."The Sunday Telegraph also reported that Warsi had not registered a controlling stake in a spice manufacturing firm with the House of Lords authorities. In a statement, she said: "My shareholdings and, before becoming a minister, directorships have at all material times been disclosed as required on the register of Lords' interests and to the Cabinet Office and on the register of ministerial interests."
It was revealed that Warsi went on two visits to the Middle East which were funded by the government of Saudi Arabia.It was revealed that Warsi went on two visits to the Middle East which were funded by the government of Saudi Arabia.