London - The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Britain yesterday confirmed it has suspended 18 members of staff as part of an investigation into expenses claims during the foot-and-mouth crisis. The employees are all based at the Exeter office of Defra, formerly the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Maff).
The suspensions, which began on August 13th, all involve permanent members of staff. An internal investigation is now taking place to look at expenses claims and the possibility that some equipment used during the crisis has gone missing.