Expenses prosecutions 'unlikely'

Police at Scotland Yard in London said today they were still examining a few MPs' expenses claims but raised doubts over the …

Police at Scotland Yard in London said today they were still examining a few MPs' expenses claims but raised doubts over the likelihood of any prosecutions.

Police have been working with the Crown Prosecution Service since mid-May to consider whether to start criminal investigations into the abuse of parliamentary expenses.

They said a joint panel had concluded that unless there was evidence to show an MP had deliberately misled parliamentary expenses officials, it was "highly unlikely" there could be a successful prosecution.

"Many of those complained about appear to have provided accurate information and therefore the Metropolitan Police Service will not pursue a criminal investigation into allegations against them," it said.

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"However, there are a small number of allegations where questions remain about the probity of the claims, which will require further information before any decisions regarding investigations could be made."

All parties have been hit by the expenses scandal, which has seen MPs claim the cost of everything from floating duck houses to cleaning a moat.

Reuters