The settlement was achieved after lengthy negotiations and reflects the Authority's determination to secure a satisfactory outcome for the benefit of local taxpayers.

Following an investigation by the MPA Internal Audit in 2002, records relating to several linguists were passed to MPS Directorate of Professional Standards for criminal inquiry. To date this has resulted in the successful prosecution and conviction of three linguists for making fraudulent claims. Three further linguists are no longer eligible to work for the MPS.

The MPA has previously recovered £350,000 falsely claimed by two linguists and will be taking further civil action to recover fraudulently obtained funds.

Inherent weaknesses in MPS systems that enabled such a large fraud to be committed were first highlighted by an Internal Audit report in 1998. Although its recommendations were agreed by the MPS many were not implemented and significant weaknesses continued. The MPS has now taken significant steps to improve controls in the system for paying linguists.

Peter Tickner, Director of Internal Audit, said:

"The MPA expects that its employees, and those who supply services under contract, are honest and make genuine claims for financial recompense.

"We fully intend these successful prosecutions and civil actions to send a clear message to each and every individual who makes a fraudulent claim. We have highly trained staff who will discover the anomalies, you will be caught and prosecuted and we will then seek to reclaim funds through the civil courts."

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