LANCASHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw has said he wanted to see a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service over an investigation into his expenses claims.

He said he was confident he would not be charged after facing the first meeting of the group of councillors monitoring his role since the Independent Police Complaints Commission passed the file to the CPS last month.

Commissioner Grunshaw said: “I was not surprised at the decision as that is what the IPCC do.

“It’s business as usual but I just want a decision on this as soon as possible, hopefully by the end of the month.

“I am confident I have done nothing wrong and I will not be charged.”

Asked if he would quit if criminal charges were preferred he said: “I am not speculating about hypothetical questions.”

The issue of the complaints against him by Conservative county councillor for Chorley Sam Chapman were raised briefly at this week’s meeting of the Police and Crime Panel at Blackburn Town Hall.

He revealed after Mr Grunshaw’s election last November that the new Commissioner had allegedly ‘double claimed’ expenses for meetings of the county council and police authority in Preston on the same days from his Fleetwood home on 23 occasions.

Mr Chapman claimed the sums involved amounted to £1,200 in mileage and about £350 in subsistence.

Mr Chapman said: “What I have said is that if Commissioner Grunshaw has done something wrong he should stand down. If he has not, then he should fight it.

“I just think he should make public what he has said to the IPCC about these expenses.”

Panel chairwoman and Blackburn with Darwen borough leader Kate Hollern said: “This matter has been referred to the CPS and as such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”