ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has been referred to the Metropolitan Police and suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party following a complaint about allowances.
An inquiry by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon has been suspended "until the question of possible criminal proceedings has been resolved".The Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges, which oversees Mr Lyon's work, said it agreed Mr MacShane's "conduct" should be reported to the Met.
It is understood the complaint was submitted in June last year by the British National Party in connection with allowances, and Mr MacShane's work in Europe on politics and anti-semitism.
Mr MacShane said he would "co-operate fully".
"While I obviously regret this development I will of course co-operate fully with the police as I have with the Commissioner," he said. " I will make no further comment."
A short report published by the Committee said: "The Committee agreed the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards should report to the Metropolitan Police Service the conduct of the Rt Hon Member for Rotherham, Denis MacShane. In accordance with procedures agreed between the Committee on Standards and Privileges, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and the Metropolitan Police, the Commissioner's inquiry into a complaint against Mr MacShane will be suspended until the question of possible criminal proceedings has been resolved."
Scotland Yard confirmed it is considering the complaint along with "a small number" of other outstanding expenses-related allegations.
The Labour Party said it had withdrawn the whip from the MP while the police investigate the allegations.
A spokeswoman said: "Following a referral by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to the Met Police Service, the Labour Party has today suspended Denis MacShane from the Parliamentary Labour Party and the whip pending the outcome of any investigation."
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