MP attacks police inaction

Four police officers accused of misconduct during an investigation into an MP's election expenses will not face disciplinary action.

The whole system of the police investigating the police and then deciding on their own fate leaves the system open to criticism Fiona Jones

The Nottinghamshire officers were expected to face internal hearings after a Police Complaints Authority inquiry recommended they be reprimanded.

All four were investigated following their inquiry into the election expenses of former Newark MP Fiona Jones during the 1997 General Election campaign.

A chief superintendent, a superintendent and two sergeants were examined.

Nottinghamshire Police said on Wednesday all charges against the four had been dropped.

The lengthy inquiry conducted into the officers by neighbouring Derbyshire Police on behalf of the Police Complaints Authority is understood to have cost £3m.

It examined an original police inquiry into Mrs Jones' expenses amid claims she spent £21,000 during the campaign, in excess of the limit of £8,000.

'Malicious investigation'

Mrs Jones was found guilty of electoral fraud by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court in March, 1999, and was immediately disqualified as an MP and sentenced to 100 hours community service.

A month later the verdicts against her and her agent Desmond Whicher were overturned in the Court of Appeal and she was returned to Parliament.

Mrs Jones made a formal complaint about the police inquiry and claimed she had been the victim of a malicious investigation and alleged police had leaked information to the press.

An initial inquiry into the conduct of the case found that no criminal charges should be brought against any of the police officers involved.

A second, separate inquiry was launched by Derbyshire Police on behalf of the PCA, which concluded last August that the officers should face internal disciplinary hearings.

'Astonishing' decision

The Nottinghamshire force has refused to comment on the reasons why the officers will not face disciplinary action, but Mrs Jones claims she has been told the charges were dropped because the force deemed that they were not in the public interest.

"It is astonishing to realise that the police's own lawyer has decided not to proceed after charges had been made a year ago," Mrs Jones said.

"The whole system of the police investigating the police and then deciding on their own fate leaves the system open to criticism."

All four officers who were subject of the PCA investigation are continuing their normal duties for Nottinghamshire police.