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Police commissioner's expenses claims to be investigated by prosecutors | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A police and crime commissioner has been suspended from the Labour party after the Crown Prosecution Service launched an investigation into his expenses claims. | |
The inquiry will focus on mileage claims made by Lancashire PCC Clive Grunshaw while he was a Labour county councillor and police authority member before his election in November. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated the matter and has passed its findings to the CPS, his office said. | |
Grunshaw said on Wednesday he did not "willfully submit claims which I knew to be untrue" and that he would continue in his post until a final decision was made by prosecutors. | |
A Labour spokesman said: "Clive Grunshaw has been suspended form the Labour party pending the outcome of the CPS inquiry." | |
The details of the mileage claims – from when Grunshaw attended meetings of the council and the police authority on the same days – first emerged in an article in the Sunday Times and came following a freedom of information request from a local Conservative councillor. | The details of the mileage claims – from when Grunshaw attended meetings of the council and the police authority on the same days – first emerged in an article in the Sunday Times and came following a freedom of information request from a local Conservative councillor. |
The matter was referred to the police watchdog by Lancashire's police and crime panel, which scrutinises the work of the PCC. | The matter was referred to the police watchdog by Lancashire's police and crime panel, which scrutinises the work of the PCC. |
In a statement on Wednesday, Miranda Carruthers-Watt, chief executive and solicitor for the office for the police and crime commissioner (OPCC), said: "This investigation relates to claims made when Clive Grunshaw was subject to the Lancashire county council expenses and allowance scheme as a Lancashire county councillor and a member of Lancashire police authority. The allegations do not relate to any expenses claims during his time as police and crime commissioner. | |
"The OPCC has assisted the Independent Police Complaints Commission throughout their investigation, and will continue to provide assistance now the matter has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. | "The OPCC has assisted the Independent Police Complaints Commission throughout their investigation, and will continue to provide assistance now the matter has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. |
"While we await the decision of the CPS we will continue to support the commissioner in carrying out his statutory duties, and we look forward to a swift conclusion to this matter." | "While we await the decision of the CPS we will continue to support the commissioner in carrying out his statutory duties, and we look forward to a swift conclusion to this matter." |
Grunshaw said: "I understand the public interest in this matter, and I wish to reassure the residents of Lancashire that during the last nine months I have complied fully with the investigative process and will continue to do so. | Grunshaw said: "I understand the public interest in this matter, and I wish to reassure the residents of Lancashire that during the last nine months I have complied fully with the investigative process and will continue to do so. |
"I maintain that at no point did I willfully submit claims which I knew to be untrue and every expense claim I did make was genuinely intentioned. | |
"While I await the Crown Prosecution Service's decision I will continue to carry out my role as normal and be the public voice of policing in Lancashire." | "While I await the Crown Prosecution Service's decision I will continue to carry out my role as normal and be the public voice of policing in Lancashire." |
It was reported that Grunshaw allegedly "double claimed" mileage expenses for meetings of the county council and police authority in Preston on the same days from his home in Fleetwood. | |
This was said to have happened on 23 occasions as Grunshaw allegedly claimed a total of £1,200 in mileage and about £350 in subsistence. | |
The former parliamentary assistant had served as chairman of Lancashire police authority's resources committee before his election as commissioner last November. | |
In a statement, the IPCC said: "The independent investigation began after allegations about expenses claims made by Clive Grunshaw before his election as a PCC were referred to the IPCC by Lancashire's police and crime panel. | |
"Mr Grunshaw was interviewed by IPCC investigators as part of the investigation. A full investigation report was sent to the CPS on 25 September. The CPS is responsible for making a decision on whether there is evidence to warrant criminal charges." | |
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