31/05/2011

Lord Taylor Jailed Over Expenses Fraud

An ex-Tory peer has been jailed for a year over falsely claiming parliamentary expenses.

Lord Taylor of Warwick claimed £11,277 for travel between his Oxford home and Westminster and for accommodation costs in London.

The 58-year-old former conservative peer said the claims were "in lieu of a salary", and that he had been acting on colleagues' advice.

Commenting on the expenses scandal, Judge Mr Justice Saunders said it "left an indelible stain on Parliament".

Mr Taylor resided in a flat in west London, but listed his main home in Oxford. The property was owned by his nephew.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges but was convicted in January.

(BMcN/GK)

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