£1.4m bill in cash-for-honours case

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Scotland Yard incurred the bill during a 19-month investigation which blighted the final stages of Tony Blair's premiership but eventually resulted in no charges.

The figure, which was released to the Press Association under freedom of information laws, is higher than had been expected.

The CPS disclosed last month that it had spent £122,000 on advice from independent counsel before deciding to drop the case.

Staff costs made up £1,304,549 of the total £1,396,091 bill.

The Met refused to provide a breakdown of the remaining £91,542.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who led the inquiry, mounted a staunch defence of its conduct when he gave evidence to MPs last month.

He told the Public Administration Committee that his team found evidence that suggested there might have been "something there".

Mr Yates also indicated that some figures embroiled in the cash-for-honours controversy failed to co-operate fully - although he declined to identify them.

Four people - including some of Mr Blair's closest aides - were arrested during the probe, which began in March last year. Dozens of others were interviewed.