Police will not investigate 'cash for amendments' allegations

[TriWooOx]

Quote:The police will not investigate allegations that four Labour peers attempted to change the law in favour of companies employing them, Scotland Yard said today.

John Yates, the Metropolitan Police's assistant commissioner, took the final decision not to launch a criminal investigation after reviewing the allegations and discussing them with Lady Royall, the leader of the Lords, the force said in a statement.

The Sunday Times alleged last month that four Labour peers – Lord Moonie, Lord Truscott, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape – had discussed amending legislation in return for a fee, which would be in breach of parliamentary standards. The four deny breaking any rules.

The Met said that it had reviewed the original Sunday Times article and other material provided by the newspaper. "In particular, we have carefully examined the position of Lord Taylor and Lord Truscott in the context of a possible investigation for the common law offence of bribery. We have also considered possible offences of misconduct in public office," said a spokesman.

The spokesman said the Met had also obtained written legal advice from the Crown Prosecution Service and spoken to Royall, who had ordered an internal investigation.

The Lords subcommittee on Lords' interests had already begun a preliminary examination and had announced its intention to deal robustly with members who had broken the rules, the police statement said.

The Met concluded that: "The application of the criminal law to members of the House of Lords in the circumstances that have arisen here is far from clear. In addition, there are very clear difficulties in gathering and adducing evidence in these circumstances in the context of Parliamentary privilege.

"These factors, when set alongside the preliminary examination, lead us to the decision that the Metropolitan police will not undertake a criminal inquiry into any of the allegations raised."

The statement added that the Met would reconsider its decision if any further evidence or information come to light.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/fe...legations-lords

[kevlar]

they won't arrest fraudulent skum but they will arrest david green for trying to reveal government incompetance. it has become apparent that the police is there to protect the government at all costs. they openly defend their position and at the same time pipe on about the problems. when all along they are the problem.