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'Robocop' targets MPs' expenses 'Robocop' targets MPs' expenses
(21 minutes later)
Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has called for the Metropolitan Police to investigate MPs' expenses.Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has called for the Metropolitan Police to investigate MPs' expenses.
Mr Mallon - dubbed "Robocop" when he pioneered zero-tolerance policing on Teesside - has written to Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.Mr Mallon - dubbed "Robocop" when he pioneered zero-tolerance policing on Teesside - has written to Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.
The mayor said he believes there is evidence that criminal acts may have been committed in breach of the Theft Act and other laws. The mayor said he believed there was evidence that criminal acts may have been committed in breach of the Theft Act and other laws.
He said: "If I... do nothing then I am as good as condoning what has gone on. He said: "If I... do nothing then I am as good as condoning what has gone on."
It comes as the Daily Telegraph newspaper continued to publish details of expenses claims.It comes as the Daily Telegraph newspaper continued to publish details of expenses claims.
The elected mayor said he had taken action following complaints from members of the public and as a taxpayer.The elected mayor said he had taken action following complaints from members of the public and as a taxpayer.
He added: "I am incensed that MPs have apparently been funding lavish lifestyles with public money at a time when millions are struggling to get by and when locally over 2,000 hardworking people at Corus face losing their livelihood."He added: "I am incensed that MPs have apparently been funding lavish lifestyles with public money at a time when millions are struggling to get by and when locally over 2,000 hardworking people at Corus face losing their livelihood."
'Milking taxpayer''Milking taxpayer'
The former Cleveland Police detective was elected as Middlesbrough Mayor in 2002 as an independent and won a second term in 2007.The former Cleveland Police detective was elected as Middlesbrough Mayor in 2002 as an independent and won a second term in 2007.
He said: "As homes are being re-possessed up and down the country it appears that some MPs have been secretly manipulating the system to help pay off mortgages, dodge taxes and increase the value of their homes at the expense of the taxpayer. He said: "As homes are being repossessed up and down the country it appears that some MPs have been secretly manipulating the system to help pay off mortgages, dodge taxes and increase the value of their homes at the expense of the taxpayer.
"The guidelines for all MPs say claims should not be made unless they are 'above reproach' - clearly some of these claims have gone way beyond that and may have crossed into criminality."The guidelines for all MPs say claims should not be made unless they are 'above reproach' - clearly some of these claims have gone way beyond that and may have crossed into criminality.
"These reports have shone a light on the despicable, institutionalised milking of the British taxpayer by the very people elected to protect their interests."These reports have shone a light on the despicable, institutionalised milking of the British taxpayer by the very people elected to protect their interests.
"The time has now come for the police to conduct a thorough investigation to decide whether any charges should be brought.""The time has now come for the police to conduct a thorough investigation to decide whether any charges should be brought."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said it had received a number of complaints in relation to the matter and they were currently being assessed.