Cops probe three cases of MPs’ expenses fraud as Commons refuse to reveal those involved

POLICE are investigating three cases of MPs’ expenses fraud — but Commons chiefs refuse to say who is involved.

The incidents involve one serving MP, one aide and one former MP.

The suspects’ blushes have been spared on privacy grounds.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority annual report states only that the investigations are ongoing.

It is understood that one of the cases relates to the ex-Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson.

Last year, he paid back £30,000 having said some expenses were paid “in error”.

The average cost of an MP was £157,747 in the 2019-20 financial year, according to analysis by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority said:”The disclosure of the names of individuals…would constitute a serious breach of sensitive personal data.”

The chief executive of the TPA John O’Connell hit back: “With the cost of politics on the rise, taxpayers have a right to know how every penny of their money has been spent by parliamentarians.”