DISGRACED Conservative North West MEP Den Dover could be questioned by Lancashire police for alleged theft and money laundering, it emerged last night.
Earlier this week, Mr Dover was expelled from the Conservative Party following the outcome of an investigation into claims he paid taxpayers’ money to his wife and daughter for office work.
Party leader David Cameron personally ordered his expulsion from the party.
Harald Romer, the European Parliament’s secretary-general, told Mr Dover that the expenses investigation had found that the payments had caused a conflict of interest, and he was ordered to repay around £500,000.
Mr Dover, a former MP for Chorley, stood down as chief whip in June after the allegations emerged.
Last night, the UK Independence Party issued a statement saying Nick Hogan, the party’s parliamentary candidate for Chorley, had reported the matter to Lancashire Police.
Mr Dover is already being investigated by Olaf, the European Anti-Fraud Office.
Last night a spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint and that we will be speaking to the complainant over the next few days.”
Mr Dover has denied all wrong-doing over payments of £760,000 in staff and office allowances to the family-owned company, MP Holdings Ltd, for secretarial and parliamentary assistant work.
Conservative leader David Cameron has ordered he should never again stand for the Tories in an election.
Last night Mr Hogan said: “He has been reported to the European anti-fraud unit Olaf but some, if not all, the cash was spent in this country and I believe it should also be investigated by police here.
“I have spoken to the police at Chorley asking them to investigate the alleged theft of taxpayers’ money and also money laundering allegations involving passing £41,000 of that cash to Chorley Conservative Party.”
Mr Dover was born in Stockton Heath, Cheshire, and has also lived in Bootle, Southport and Chorley.
From 1979 to 1997, he was MP for Chorley and in June 1999 he was elected MEP for the North West.
Before entering politics he worked in the construction industry. Last night he could not be contacted for comment.
davidbartlett
