Expense claims: Lord Laird most expensive peer

Lord Laird has said his expenses claims were justified

Lord Laird claimed more than £73,000 in expenses and allowances in 2008/09, making him the most expensive peer in the House of Lords last year.

Peers are not paid a salary, but can claim expenses for travel to and from Westminster and on Lords business.

The cross-bench peer claimed £30,734 for overnight subsistence, £12,319 for daytime subsistence, £13,679 for office costs and £14,564 for air fares.

He also claimed £1,822 for rail/ferry/coach travel and £598 for postage.

The figures cover the period between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009.

Peers can also claim daily expenses of up to £174 while away from their main home, £86.50 for daytime expenses such as meals and £75 for office costs.

Lord Laird attended 145 days in parliament, and he defended his claims, saying: "I am a full-time member of the Lords.

"I come over every week - I go out from Northern Ireland on a Sunday and come back on a Friday.

"People want to be represented in parliament and that's what I do."

Among the biggest claimants for travel expenses were cross-bencher Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (£18,344), and the Ulster Unionist Lord Rogan (£16,636).

In total, Lord Maginnis claimed expenses of £60,565 for attending 116 times, while Lord Rogan, who attended 135 times, claimed expenses of £59,159.

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