FORMER Essex County Council leader Lord Hanningfield told police a row with Colchester MP Bob Russell over schools led to him being accused of fiddling his expenses.

A jury heard on Tuesday how the council was not happy about the way three schools in the town were performing and changes were planned.

But according to the Tory peer, Mr Russell was not happy about the situation.

"He took this very personally against me. I found this extraordinary," he told police.

Hanningfield, whose real name is Paul White, also told police he had seen Mr Russell on a train one day and had said hello to him.

He said Mr Russell responded by saying to him: "I don't want to talk to you. I hate you."

White told police he was "surprised and upset" when he found out Mr Russell had made allegations against him in the media.

"I have never knowingly made a representation which is untrue in terms of allowances and never have I made gain for myself," White said.

"I am actually out of pocket as a result of my parliamentary duties as we do not receive any salary," he added.

White, Helmons Lane, West Hanningfield, denies six charges of false accounting between March 2006 and May 2009.

The prosecution at Chelmsford Crown Court has alleged he claimed expenses over a six month period for travelling and overnight accomodation in London he was not entitled to.

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