Black chief inspector cleared of fiddling expenses

One of Britain's most high profile black police officers has been cleared following a seven-month inquiry into claims he fiddled his expenses.

Chief Inspector Leroy Logan, chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MBPA), has been under investigation since June last year.

The MBPA claimed the investigation into him had cost £1m, but the Metropolitan Police said the cost was "less than five figures".

The probe centred on an allegation that he submitted a false claim for an £80 hotel bill. In November last year the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence for a criminal prosecution of Mr Logan.

Yesterday he was told that he would also not face formal police disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Logan, 44, who was awarded the MBE last year, said: "The last seven months have been the worst of my life, there has been a cloud hanging over me for this whole period.

"During this time my mother has died, as has my uncle, I have been through hell and back and the strain on my family has been unbearable.

"I am over the moon that I have been exonerated, but feel very angry at the way I have been treated."

Mr Logan's lawyer Sadiq Khan said: "This saga has been an unmitigated fiasco from start to finish. One of the most senior and respected black officers in the country has been treated worse than a criminal.

"While we are pleased that the threat of disciplinary and criminal prosecution has now gone the Metropolitan Police needs to answer serious questions about its handling of this matter. There is no justification for £1m of taxpayers' money being spent in this way and for a senior officer to have his life turned upside down."

"The irony is that at a time when the Met are crying out for more black officers they are treating one of the best role models like this."