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| Police to investigate MP expenses | Police to investigate MP expenses |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Scotland Yard has decided to launch an investigation into the alleged misuse of expenses by a small number of MPs and peers, the BBC has learned. | |
| It follows a public outcry about the way many MPs had been using their second homes expenses. | It follows a public outcry about the way many MPs had been using their second homes expenses. |
| Since the scandal broke, several MPs have announced they will be stepping down at the next election. | Since the scandal broke, several MPs have announced they will be stepping down at the next election. |
| Police say officers from their economic and specialist crime command will conduct the investigation. | Police say officers from their economic and specialist crime command will conduct the investigation. |
| It will be overseen by the Metropolitan Police's temporary assistant commissioner Janet Williams, a former special branch commander. | |
| In a statement, the force said: "After consideration by the joint Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service assessment panel the Met has decided to launch an investigation into the alleged misuse of expenses by a small number of MPs and Peers." | |
| They will not confirm who is under investigation nor what parties they are from. | |
| Claims repaid | |
| Two weeks ago Scotland Yard said it was highly unlikely MPs would be prosecuted unless there was proof they misled Parliamentary authorities. | |
| But it added that a special panel needed more information in a "small number" of cases before making a final decision on criminal investigations. | |
| On Friday Parliament published a list of MPs who have repaid claims, suggesting 182 from all parties had returned money totalling £478, 616. | |
| Many said that while claims had been within the rules, they were responding to constituents' anger. | |
| The scandal has enveloped all the major parties and prompted the resignations of at least two cabinet ministers. | |
| Both Downing Street and the Conservatives say they have no comment to make on the latest development. |