Essex: Hanningfield Investigation Closed

No further action will be taken against former Essex County Council leader Lord Hanningfield.

City of London Police confirmed they will be taking no further action following an investigation of allegations of unauthorised expenditure made by Essex County Council against the disgraced peer.

The case was taken on by the National Lead Force for fraud following a referral from Essex Police in December 2011.

A City of London Police spokesperson said: "Allegations of unauthorised expenditure against a 71-year-old man from Essex, originally made to Essex Police by Essex County Council, have been fully investigated by the City of London Police Economic Crime Directorate, after being referred to them in December 2011.

"Following a full review of the evidence obtained from this investigation and consultation with the CPS, a decision has been made to take no further action regarding these allegations as there is insufficient evidence to justify any criminal charges in this case. The police investigation into this matter is now closed."

Lord Hanningfield served nine weeks of a nine-month jail sentence after being convicted of falsely claiming £28,000 in parliamentary expenses.

Less than a week after his release in September 2011 he was re-arrested following allegations over his expenses claims while leader of Essex County Council.