Baroness Warsi will be investigated following allegations that she claimed up to £2,000 in expenses wiles staying at a friend’s house rent-free.
Paul Kernaghan, The House of Lords Commissioner for Standards, said he will hold an inquiry into the claims that the Conservative MP took £165 a night while she was staying with a friend in 2008.
Lady Warsi, who referred herself to the sleaze watchdog carrying out the investigation, has allegedly said that she made an “appropriate payment” to Tory official Naweed Khan.
However, Wafik Moustafa told reporters that she stayed in his West London home rent-free.
Despite Labour’s call for a criminal inquiry, Scotland Yard said it would not investigate the allegations.
Lady Warsi’s scandal comes after Prime Minsiter David Cameron ordered an inquiry over whether she breached rules when she was accompanied by a business partner during a visit to Pakistan.
She claimed that Abid Hussian was in the country with her as part of a Parliamentary delegation in the letter sent to Cameron, who sent the account to advisor Sir Alex Allan.
However Labour MP Simon Danzuk, a member of the delegation mentioned in the letter, rubbished her claims.
He said, “I’m baffled as to why Baroness Warsi would write to the Prime Minister suggesting her business partner was on this delegation when he was clearly not.”
Lady Warsi has apologised for any ‘embarrassment’ that she may have caused to the government over her relationship with Mr Hussain, who is said to be a relative.
