Investigation into ex-MP Denis MacShane's expenses to be reopened

Police are reopening their investigation into disgraced former MP Denis MacShane's expenses.

Scotland Yard said it will look again at Mr MacShane's claims in the wake of last year's damning report by the parliamentary standards watchdog.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that following an assessment of the report published by the Standards and Privileges Committee and following liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service, the Metropolitan Police is reopening the investigation."

Police began examining Mr MacShane's expenses more than two years ago after allegations about abuses surfaced.

The criminal probe was dropped last July. But the ex-Labour minister stepped down from the Commons in November after the committee found he had faked receipts to receive thousands of pounds of public money.

The report included letters from Mr MacShane to the standards commissioner detailing his actions, which had not previously been seen by police.

However, the Commons authorities have suggested such material would not be admissible in court as it is protected by parliamentary privilege.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "On consideration of the report published by the Parliamentary Committee on Standards and Privileges, we have looked again at this case.

"We have continued to liaise with the police in relation to this and have now provided them with further investigative advice."

PA