Expenses: The legal fight
By Ian Dunt
There are increased signs that those incensed by the expenses scandal may pursue a legal route to punish the MPs involved.
The likelihood of police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) bringing charges against anyone involved is unlikely to bring any charges, leading campaigners to investigate the possibility of private prosecutions.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance was the first group to suggest the tactic, which was taken up with gusto by the Daily Mail today.
Yesterday, London mayor Boris Johnson said police action may be likely.
“I think, frankly, looking at some of these cases it looks to me as though plod needs to come in,” he told Sky News.
“I must be careful what I say because I am chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, but it looks to me as though some people may very well have a serious case to answer.”
But Scotland Yard will be wary of entering into another extensive police investigation of politicians, after the ‘cash-for-honours’ and Damian Green inquiries created huge earthquakes but not resulting in charges.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “MPs who have stolen from taxpayers must be punished, and this private prosecution is the best way to cleanse Westminster’s Augean stables.
“The way politicians like Elliot Morley have behaved is not just financially harmful to the people, it is also hugely damaging to the honest MPs in parliament.
“This crime cannot and must not be swept under the carpet, so it is with regret that we have decided that legal action is the only way forward.”#
The expenses scandal showed no signs of dying down today, with new allegations against justice secretary Shahid Malik in the spotlight.
