The total absence of anything in the Queen’s Speech on the expenses issue is glaring, could the above be why? The Telegraph reports that Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, will shortly receive a police file on half-a-dozen suspected political financial fraudsters. A source told The Times: “The investigation is progressing and a file will be ready to go to the CPS by Christmas.”
In the dock we are likely to see three Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine, as well as two Labour peers Baroness Uddin and Lord Clarke of Hampstead joined by one Tory peer Lord Hanningfield. Tony McNulty, Jacqui Smith and Geoff Hoon have not had police investigations produce a file of evidence for the CPS. Though they still face the possibility of private prosecutions being brought by the Sunlight Centre and/or the Taxpayers’ Alliance (supported by the Daily Mail).
You can see why Gordon might not be too keen on bringing the expenses issue front and centre…