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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Police to investigate MP expenses | Police to investigate MP expenses |
| (30 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| They are refusing to say who is being investigated, but the BBC understands Labour MPs David Chaytor and Elliot Morley are among those under scrutiny. | |
| It follows a public outcry about the way some MPs used their allowances. | It follows a public outcry about the way some MPs used their allowances. |
| The decision to launch an investigation follows several weeks of preliminary inquiries by a team of police investigators, prosecutors and legal experts. | The decision to launch an investigation follows several weeks of preliminary inquiries by a team of police investigators, prosecutors and legal experts. |
| But two weeks ago Scotland Yard had said it was highly unlikely anyone would face prosecution. | But two weeks ago Scotland Yard had said it was highly unlikely anyone would face prosecution. |
| In a statement, the Labour Party said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation; however we always expect all Labour Party representatives and members to cooperate fully with the police. | In a statement, the Labour Party said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation; however we always expect all Labour Party representatives and members to cooperate fully with the police. |
| "The Labour Party has already taken tough action on expenses, including barring MPs found to have broken the rules from standing as Labour candidates at the next general election." | "The Labour Party has already taken tough action on expenses, including barring MPs found to have broken the rules from standing as Labour candidates at the next general election." |
| The Conservative Party has declined to comment. | The Conservative Party has declined to comment. |
| The BBC has so far been unable to speak to the two Labour MPs and the Labour peer thought to be among those under investigation. | The BBC has so far been unable to speak to the two Labour MPs and the Labour peer thought to be among those under investigation. |
| Questions | Questions |
| David Chaytor, Labour MP for Bury North, and Elliot Morley, Labour MP for Scunthorpe, both announced they would stand down after it emerged they claimed interest payments for mortgages they had paid-off. | David Chaytor, Labour MP for Bury North, and Elliot Morley, Labour MP for Scunthorpe, both announced they would stand down after it emerged they claimed interest payments for mortgages they had paid-off. |
| If there is wrongdoing it needs to be investigated Business Secretary Lord Mandelson MPs explain expenses repayments | If there is wrongdoing it needs to be investigated Business Secretary Lord Mandelson MPs explain expenses repayments |
| Labour peer Baroness Uddin, who apparently claimed an empty Maidstone flat was her main home so she could claim expenses for peers living outside London, may also face questions, the BBC understands. | Labour peer Baroness Uddin, who apparently claimed an empty Maidstone flat was her main home so she could claim expenses for peers living outside London, may also face questions, the BBC understands. |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has held a series of talks with Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer over the allegations. | Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has held a series of talks with Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer over the allegations. |
| The senior officer said his detectives would follow the evidence. Speaking on Thursday, he said: "We will make a decision on what the evidence is or is not." | The senior officer said his detectives would follow the evidence. Speaking on Thursday, he said: "We will make a decision on what the evidence is or is not." |
| He said the Parliamentary authorities have given "good cooperation" after investigators asked for more information. | He said the Parliamentary authorities have given "good cooperation" after investigators asked for more information. |
| 'Unforgiveable error' | 'Unforgiveable error' |
| Two weeks ago, the Metropolitan Police ruled out wide-ranging action against the majority of parliamentarians embroiled in the controversy. | Two weeks ago, the Metropolitan Police ruled out wide-ranging action against the majority of parliamentarians embroiled in the controversy. |
| Officers believe there is only a realistic chance of prosecution in cases where it can be proved individuals misled Parliament's Fees Office. | Officers believe there is only a realistic chance of prosecution in cases where it can be proved individuals misled Parliament's Fees Office. |
| Mr Chaytor said he would pay back £13,000 after admitting an "unforgivable error" in continuing to submit £1,175 monthly bills for a paid-off loan. | Mr Chaytor said he would pay back £13,000 after admitting an "unforgivable error" in continuing to submit £1,175 monthly bills for a paid-off loan. |
| Mr Morley was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party after admitting a similar £16,000 claim and referring himself to the Westminster sleaze watchdog. | Mr Morley was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party after admitting a similar £16,000 claim and referring himself to the Westminster sleaze watchdog. |
| The investigation will be overseen by the Metropolitan Police's temporary assistant commissioner Janet Williams, a former special branch commander. | The investigation 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." | 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." |
| On Friday Parliament published a list of MPs who have repaid claims, suggesting 182 from all parties had returned money totalling £478, 616. | 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. | Many said that while claims had been within the rules, they were responding to constituents' anger. |
| 'Inevitable' | 'Inevitable' |
| The scandal has enveloped all the major parties and prompted the resignations of at least two cabinet ministers. | The scandal has enveloped all the major parties and prompted the resignations of at least two cabinet ministers. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said in an interview with BBC World that it was "inevitable" that the police would become involved. | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said in an interview with BBC World that it was "inevitable" that the police would become involved. |
| "If there is wrongdoing it needs to be investigated. That's how we do things in Britain," he added. | "If there is wrongdoing it needs to be investigated. That's how we do things in Britain," he added. |
| The House of Commons is coming under mounting pressure to abandon security measures which allowed large swathes of MPs' expense claims to be censored. | The House of Commons is coming under mounting pressure to abandon security measures which allowed large swathes of MPs' expense claims to be censored. |