Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner expenses charge delay

The Crown Prosecution Service said a decision had been delayed while new evidence was considered by its lawyers.

It comes exactly a year today after he was elected to his job.

In October, former milkman Mr Grunshaw said on a visit to Blackburn Town Hall that he wanted a quick decision by the CPS over the investigation into his expenses claims.

He said he was confident he would not be charged after the Independent Police Complaints Commission passed the file to the prosecutors in September.

Yesterday the CPS dashed his hopes issuing a statement which said: “The CPS has received additional evidence from the IPCC in relation to the allegations against Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire.

“We are currently reviewing this, to determine whether or not criminal charges should be brought.”

The complaints against him were made by Conservative county councillor for Chorley, Sam Chapman.

He alleged, after Mr Grunshaw’s election, that the new Commissioner had ‘double claimed’ expenses for meetings of the county council and police authority in Preston on the same days from his Fleetwood home on 23 occasions.

Mr Chapman claimed the sums involved amounted to £1,200 in mileage and about £350 in subsistence.

Commissioner Grunshaw had no further comment to make on top of what he said after the meeting of the Police and Crime Panel in Blackburn with oversees his work.

Then, he said: “I was not surprised at the decision as that is what the IPCC do. It’s business as usual but I just want a decision on this as soon as possible.

“I am confident I have done nothing wrong and I will not be charged.”

Asked if he would quit if criminal charges were preferred he said: “I am not speculating about hypothetical questions.”

Panel chairwoman and Blackburn with Darwen borough leader Kate Hollern has declined to comment while the CPS concludes its deliberations.