Baroness Warsi said she has not told House of Lords authorities that she was receiving income from a London property she had bought and rented out, the Daily Telegraph reported.
She apologised for the breach of parliamentary guidelines, blaming “an oversight, for which I take full responsibility.”
The admission by Baroness Warsi is a serious blow to the Conservative Party’s pledge to be transparent in its dealings, and will increase pressure on Cameron to replace her in a reshuffle.
The failure to make a declaration means that the public was unaware that she had another source of income, over and above her salary, which is paid by the Conservative Party, and the £300 a day allowance which she is eligible to claim when she attends the Lords.
The Prime Minister and Baroness Warsi have spoken of commitment to transparency by the Conservatives and the Coalition.
In November 2010, Cameron said “it is our ambition to be one of the most transparent governments in the world.”
In July last year, the peer said, “This government is delivering unprecedented transparency.” The total amount that she failed to declare is not known because Baroness Warsi did not disclose it last night.
Peers are required to register any rental income worth more than £5,000 in a calendar year but there is no need for them to declare the amount.
MOL/PKH/HE
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