MP escapes a police probe

Disgraced former Shrewsbury MP Derek Conway will not be prosecuted after his Parliamentary expenses scandal, Scotland Yard has confirmed.The Old Bexley and Sidcup MP - formerly Shrewsbury and Atcham’s MP - was severely reprimanded by the Commons authorities in January following allegations that he paid two sons tens of thousands of pounds from the public purse despite them having done little apparent work.

Scotland Yard today blamed the chaotic state of Commons expenses for scotching criminal proceedings against Mr Conway.

The Met said prosecutors had advised them that the “lack of systems” in Westminster would “severely undermine the viability” of any police probe.

Mr Conway has since been stripped of the Tory party Whip and announced he will be standing down at the next general election - although he will still draw his £60,000 salary until then.