Lord Hanningfield convicted over parliamentary expenses

Paul White, 70, had denied six counts of false accounting relating to nearly £14,000 of parliamentary expenses.

The prosecution said he had claimed for overnight stays in London between March 2006 and April 2009, when he had actually returned home to Essex.

As he left court, White said he might appeal adding: "I'm devastated but I have no regrets. I did nothing wrong."

The jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found him guilty on all six counts and he will be sentenced in three weeks' time.

In a separate development, police have launched an investigation into an allegation Lord Hanningfield made fraudulent expenses claims of Essex County Council.

Members of the House of Lords were able to claim up to £174-a-night to stay in London when attending Parliament, if their main home was outside the city.