Police probe MacShane expenses

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has been suspended by the Labour Party while police investigate a complaint about his expenses.

In a statement today Dr MacShane said :"I have been informed by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards that he has written to the Metropolitan Police in connection with his inquiry into a complaint against me filed in June 2009.

While I obviously regret this development I will of course cooperate fully with the police as I have with the Commissioner. I will make no further comment."

A Labour party spokeswoman said: "Following a referral by the parliamentary commissioner for standards to the Met Police service, the Labour party has today suspended Denis MacShane from the parliamentary Labour party and the whip pending the outcome of any investigation."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police refused to confirm that an investigation was being conducted into the Rotherham MP but said: “We can confirm that we have received a referral from the parliamentary commissioner for standards relating to MPs expenses. These are now being investigated along with a small number of other allegations.”