Information on MPs referred to the police

IPSA holds the information that you request.

In a previous FOI response, reference CAS-36080, we confirmed that, at the time of responding, the police have been contacted with relation to four MPs. A copy of that response can be found on our website via this link.

The Compliance Officer for IPSA is responsible for investigating allegations that an MP has been paid an amount by IPSA in breach of the MPs’ Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses (the Scheme). Any allegation of criminal conduct by an MP or his or her staff is outside the remit of the Compliance Officer.

As noted in the previous response, a Joint Statement sets out how IPSA and the Compliance Officer will work with the Metropolitan Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the event that IPSA or the Compliance Officer are given reason to suspect that a criminal offence may have been committed. A copy of this statement can be viewed on the Compliance Officer’s website at the following address: http://www.parliamentarycompliance.org.uk/transparency/Documents/Joint%20Statement%20with%20regard%20to%20the%20MPS%20and%20DPP.pdf

Any referrals made within each financial year will be noted within the Annual Report of the Compliance Officer for IPSA, which is published following the end of each financial year.

In all instances, the referrals to the police related to payments that had been made or were due to be made under the Scheme.

Of the four cases referred to the police, three were referred in 2014-15. One of these cases related exclusively to an MP’s member of staff rather than the MP themselves.

The remaining case was referred in 2015-16.