Met to reopen probe into Denis MacShane's expenses
Denis MacShane MP Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Scotland Yard has said it plans to reopen the investigation into the former Labour MP Denis MacShane's expenses.
A spokesman said: "We can confirm that following an assessment of the report published by the Standards and Privileges Committee and following liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service, the Metropolitan Police is reopening the investigation."
A complaint about Mr MacShane regarding expenses for his constituency office was originally referred to the Metropolitan Police in October 2010 but no action was taken.
Disgraced former MP says sorry to Rotherham constituency
Shamed former MP Denis MacShane has apologised his former constituents for letting them down after being forced to resign over his Parliamentary expenses.
In a letter to the Yorkshire Post, he said: "How do I say sorry? Rotherham has been such an important part of my life and I have let this wonderful town, its terrific people and my constituency down so very badly.”
Denis MacShane has apologised to the people of Rotherham Credit: Press Association
Mr MacShane also said he accepted full responsibility for his "stupid" and "mad" actions in making the false expenses claims.
Labour: MacShane's career as MP 'is effectively over'
These are very serious findings concerning Denis MacShane and we accept his statement this morning that his career as a Labour MP is effectively over.
In the light of the report's recommendations to the House, the Labour Party has suspended Denis MacShane with immediate effect, pending a full NEC (National Executive Committee) inquiry.
We will be talking to Denis MacShane about his future and the best course of action for him and for his constituency.
In a statement, Denis MacShane said: "I am shocked and saddened that the BNP has won its three-year campaign to destroy my political career as a Labour MP despite a full police investigation which decided not to proceed after investigations and interviews.
Denis MacShane in 2011. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive
"I am glad the committee notes that there is no question of personal gain. Clearly I deeply regret that the way I chose to be reimbursed for costs related to my work in Europe and in combating anti-semitism, including being the Prime Minister's personal envoy, has been judged so harshly.
"I remain committed to work for progressive values, for Britain playing a full part in Europe, and for combating anti-semitism even though I can no longer undertake this work as a Labour MP.
"I am consulting family and friends as I consider my position and study the full implications of the report. I am obviously desperately sorry for any embarrassment I have caused my beloved Labour Party and its leader Ed Miliband whom I greatly admire."
Former Labour minister Denis MacShane is facing suspension from the Commons for a year over a string of illegitimate expenses claims running to thousands of thousands.
The MP, who was suspended from the Labour party this morning, said he was "shocked and saddened" that his political career had been destroyed and was now considering his position.
The Committee on Standards and Privileges said that it recommended the punishment after finding Mr MacShane submitted 19 false invoices "plainly intended to deceive" Parliament's expenses authority.
Denis MacShane, a former Labour Foreign Office minister, has been granted an emergency question in the House of Commons over the situation in Afghanistan:
Speaker grants me Urgent Question at 1530 on never ending deaths of our men in Afghanistan
