Pressure piles on Blair after expenses scandal
Monday, 12 November 2007 12:00 AM
The Metropolitan Police professional standards watchdog confirmed last night it has launched an internal enquiry over a missing £2 million sum within its expenses account.
Two detectives are at the centre of investigation, alleged to have used staff credit cards for personal use.
Both were arrested in Cambridgeshire during October and have been bailed pending further investigations.
A Met spokesman said: "The director of professional standards is currently conducting a review around the issue and usage of the Met's American Express cards.
"Any alleged criminality that is uncovered will be dealt with robustly. We have a comprehensive plan to recover any money that is outstanding."
Concerns were initially raised by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) and handed over to the standards watchdog.
Hundreds of detectives will now be questioned and have their expense records checked.
However, there has been anger among some members of the force over the organisation's slow reaction to initial warnings.
Internal auditors at the Met have been aware of discrepancies since 2004, but little action has been taken.
The news comes at a trying time for the Met's chief commissioner Sir Ian Blair who is struggling to withstand the storm ignited by the murder of Jean Charles De Menezes.
The Metropolitan Police were found guilty at the Old Bailey of health and safety breaches and endangering the public during the botched operation.
In the aftermath of the trial the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) published its report into the incident, which blamed Sir Ian personally for holding up its investigation.
In response, the Liberal Democrats today restated their call for Sir Ian to resign in over the affair.
In a letter to prime minister Gordon Brown, the party's home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "Over the course of these events, you yourself have chosen not to comment.
"I believe it is now time for you to break that silence, break the deadlock and intervene. I am asking you to exercise your authority in this matter and ask your home secretary to remove Sir Ian."
Sir Ian's continued refusal to resign was detrimental to the safety of London, Mr Clegg insisted.
"It is clear the continuation of this state of affairs is no good for the work, reputation and morale of the Metropolitan Police.
"It is no good for London, and it is no good for the ongoing efforts to counter terrorism," said Mr Clegg.
However, London mayor Ken Livingstone has been steadfast in his support of the commissioner, a position galvanised by endorsement from the home secretary Jacqui Smith.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Livingstone said: "We are all pretty determined we are not going to have a media campaign drive a commissioner from office.
"Other senior officers from around the country have been saying to Ian Blair, 'if you go the job will be worthless to your successors'.
"They will spend their entire time worrying if the press is going to get upset."
Jean Charles de Menezes was killed two years ago by counter terrorism officers in the immediate aftermath of the London bombings, after he was mistakenly identified as a suicide bomber.
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