Peers’ expense claims since 2006 could be scrutinised

At first glance the Lords reforms unveiled this morning by Lord Eames, former Anglican Primate of All Ireland, looks like a bit of late catch-up with the Commons (they got an independent watchdog in 1995) and nothing like the orgy of retrospective self-flagellation which MPs have moved onto this autumn. 

But there is a bit of retrospection in the Lords plans that could make life uncomfortable for peers who think they are out of the woods on their expenses.

In Annex 1, point 3 on p50 of the report the new Commons-style independent commissioner gets the power to investigate claims of wrongdoing going back four years.

Given that the commissioner is expected to be in post from 1 April 2010 it means that even if a peer has tidied up his or her act in the last few months they could still be investigated by the new commissioner for alleged misdeeds committed between 1 April 2006 and 1 April 2010. 

It’s not Legg but depending on the commissioner and what cases are referred to him it could be significant. 

Meanwhile the clerk of the parliaments looks at cases (though he has had to suspend some cases while the police look at them).

– Related: MPs faced to bare all for voters

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