Police are carrying out investigations into four cases of MPs’ expenses abuses – with prosecutors considering whether to charge one politician.
Scotland Yard has been conducting probes into the cases for up to two years, but the individuals have never been named.
The investigations, uncovered by MailOnline, raise fresh concerns about the levels of secrecy surrounding allegations about politicians.
Two of those under investigation are thought to have stood as candidates in the general election last year.
The Commons expenses system has been radically tightened since the scandal that rocked Westminster to its foundations in 2009 (file picture)
Two of those under investigation are thought to have stood as candidates in the general election last year
Former sleaze watchdog Sir Alistair Graham said it was wrong that voters were being denied crucial information about their elected representatives.
‘They are innocent until proven guilty. But if there is sufficient evidence to refer it to the police then that is something people need to know,’ Sir Alistair said.
The Commons expenses system has been radically tightened since the scandal that rocked Westminster to its foundations in 2009.
But the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has previously come under fire for the refusal by its compliance officer to name MPs facing allegations about abuses.
Dozens of complaints have been subject to lengthy probes by the watchdog, including in many cases sifting through significant volumes of evidence.
But the individuals have avoided identification because they were classed as ‘assessments’ instead of ‘investigations’.
By contrast the Commons standards commissioner is more transparent, identifying politicians as soon as they are satisfied there is a prima facie case against them.
In 2015 Ipsa sparked controversy by burying the fact that it had referred three expenses cases to the police in a few paragraphs on page 74 of its annual report.
The individuals have still not been formally identified, as police did not bring charges, although one female aide received a caution for fraud by false representation.
Police said two of the latest four cases were referred to them by Ipsa – one in February 2016 and another in August that year – raising questions about why the watchdog has not disclosed the fact.
An Ipsa spokesman insisted it had not made referrals, suggesting that there had merely been ‘liaisons’ with police about expenses complaints.
According to Scotland Yard, another probe into suspected fraud was triggered by concerns raised by two members of the public in February 2016.
A full-blown investigation was launched in January last year, and a 50-year-old man was interviewed under caution in March. Prosecutors are now considering a file on whether to bring charges against the individual, believed to be a former MP.
A fourth expenses fraud investigation was sparked by a letter to the force’s commissioner in November 2016.
Before February 2016, all MPs who were arrested had to be named in the Commons.
In the 2010-2015 parliament several politicians were identified in this way, including Tory MPs Nigel Evans and David Ruffley. Mr Evans was later cleared of sexual offences and Mr Ruffley cautioned for assault.
Green MP Caroline Lucas was arrested during an anti-fracking protest and later cleared of obstruction.
But the convention was dropped, with MPs insisting it was an intrusion on their privacy and nodding the change through without a vote.
Sir Alistair, a former chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said there should be more ‘transparency’ around expenses allegations against MPs.
‘It is information the public needs to know if these MPs are continuing to participate in debates in parliament or sit on certain committees. It is important background information.’
Setting out details of the investigations in answer to requests from MailOnline, a Met spokeswoman said: ‘Officers from the Met’s Special Enquiry Team assessed an allegation of fraud reported by two separate members of the public in February 2016.
‘An investigation was launched in January 2017. A 50-year-old man was interviewed under caution on 2 March 2017. A file has now been passed to the CPS.
Sir Alistair Graham, former chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said there should be more transparency
‘In February 2016, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) made a referral to the Met in relation to possible expense claims irregularities in relation to an individual. The matter is currently under assessment by officers from the Special Enquiry Team.
‘In August 2016, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) made a referral to the Met in relation to possible expense claims irregularities in relation to an individual. The matter is currently under investigation by officers from the Special Enquiry Team.
‘On 28 November 2016 a letter was received to the Commissioner’s office concerning an allegation expenses fraud. This matter is currently under investigation by officers from the Special Enquiry Team.’