Menu
19/05/2009
Police Will Not Investigate Newspaper Expenses Leak
The Daily Telegraph will not face a police investigation in relation to the leak of MPs expenses which have since been published, Scotland Yard has said.
Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police and prosecutors have concluded a criminal investigation into the matter would not be in the public interest.
The Met Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson also said an investigation would not be "appropriate" as the public interest is in disclosing abuses of the MP's expenses system.
Sir Paul also said the material did not relate to national security and was due to be published later this summer.
Commons authorities contacted the police after the newspaper published details of minister's expense claims over a period of four years, from 2004 to 2008.
A House spokesman said there were "reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence may have been committed".
A police spokesman, however, said: "Although the leak of documents is not something that the MPS could condone, we have looked at the likelihood of a successful prosecution and whether a prosecution is appropriate.
"Other considerations were the prospect of obtaining evidence and the best use of resources."
The statement continued: "The assessment was informed by a recent published decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions that was, in part, applicable to this case.
"From this the MPS believes the public interest defence would be likely to prove a significant hurdle, in particular the "high threshold" for criminal proceedings in misconduct in public office cases."
See: Speaker Will Step Down Next Month
(JM/BMcC)
Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police and prosecutors have concluded a criminal investigation into the matter would not be in the public interest.
The Met Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson also said an investigation would not be "appropriate" as the public interest is in disclosing abuses of the MP's expenses system.
Sir Paul also said the material did not relate to national security and was due to be published later this summer.
Commons authorities contacted the police after the newspaper published details of minister's expense claims over a period of four years, from 2004 to 2008.
A House spokesman said there were "reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence may have been committed".
A police spokesman, however, said: "Although the leak of documents is not something that the MPS could condone, we have looked at the likelihood of a successful prosecution and whether a prosecution is appropriate.
"Other considerations were the prospect of obtaining evidence and the best use of resources."
The statement continued: "The assessment was informed by a recent published decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions that was, in part, applicable to this case.
"From this the MPS believes the public interest defence would be likely to prove a significant hurdle, in particular the "high threshold" for criminal proceedings in misconduct in public office cases."
See: Speaker Will Step Down Next Month
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 May 2010
Police Federation Warns On Civilianisation
Police forces may soon employ more civilians than officers, new research from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveals The data, found that numbers of police staff have virtually doubled in just under a decade and the growth in their numbers has outstripped that of police officers despite assurances.
Police Federation Warns On Civilianisation
Police forces may soon employ more civilians than officers, new research from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveals The data, found that numbers of police staff have virtually doubled in just under a decade and the growth in their numbers has outstripped that of police officers despite assurances.
14 April 2011
British Man Dies In Dubai Police Custody
A British man has died in police custody in Dubai. Lee Bradley Brown, 39, from east London, died on Tuesday after he was taken to a Dubai police station where he was allegedly assaulted and put into a cell. It has been reported that Mr Brown, was arrested over a row at the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab hotel.
British Man Dies In Dubai Police Custody
A British man has died in police custody in Dubai. Lee Bradley Brown, 39, from east London, died on Tuesday after he was taken to a Dubai police station where he was allegedly assaulted and put into a cell. It has been reported that Mr Brown, was arrested over a row at the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab hotel.
05 May 2009
Increase In Taser Use Follows Rollout To More Officers
New figures published today show tasers were used 187 times and discharged 35 times by specially trained units in four months.
Increase In Taser Use Follows Rollout To More Officers
New figures published today show tasers were used 187 times and discharged 35 times by specially trained units in four months.
19 December 2012
Police Forces Urged To Do More
A report published today finds that the police service has responded to the recommendations in HMIC's 2011 report, Without Fear or Favour: but more needs to be done, and with a greater sense of urgency.
Police Forces Urged To Do More
A report published today finds that the police service has responded to the recommendations in HMIC's 2011 report, Without Fear or Favour: but more needs to be done, and with a greater sense of urgency.
14 August 2015
Missing 13-Year-Old Found 'Safe And Well'
Thirteen-year-old Daniel Pena-Sanchez has been found "safe and well", police have reported. The Catford teenager was reported missing on Tuesday, 11 August. Police said that Daniel was found after a member of the public recognised him from their social media campaign. The Metropolitan Police thanked the public for their help.
Missing 13-Year-Old Found 'Safe And Well'
Thirteen-year-old Daniel Pena-Sanchez has been found "safe and well", police have reported. The Catford teenager was reported missing on Tuesday, 11 August. Police said that Daniel was found after a member of the public recognised him from their social media campaign. The Metropolitan Police thanked the public for their help.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
