Lyon: Privacy cannot justify his conduct

Standards commissioner John Lyon comments on David Laws’ expenses claims:

“I conclude that Mr Laws’ conduct was not above reproach because he submitted to the fees office from 2001 lodging agreements which gave a false impression of his relationship with his landlord and their shared use of the landlord’s successive London properties.

“I come to this conclusion on the basis of the standard expected of members at the time, and not any subsequent raising of the bar. Even in 2001, it would not, in my judgment, have been acceptable to seek to make claims supported by misleading documentation.

“The result was that the fees office had no opportunity to challenge or advise Mr Laws about the particular nature of his claims in the light of his circumstances. Mr Laws’ wish to maintain his personal privacy cannot, in my view, justify – although it may explain – such conduct.”