A CONSERVATIVE MP has launched a scathing attack on a police authority after £245,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent investigating allegations of corruption at another force’s authority.

Julian Smith, the MP for Skipton and Ripon, has claimed North Yorkshire Police Authority (NYPA) had been unaware of the amount of time spent by North Yorkshire police officers on the early stages of its investigation into Cleveland Police Authority.

He said it was unlikely North Yorkshire would ever recover the money spent launching Operation Sacristy, between August 2010 and April this year.

The probe is looking into a number of people with current or past associations with the CPA and the manner in which it may have conducted some of its business.

Mr Smith said it was only when he asked the NYPA to look into the costs of the initial stage of the investigation that it became aware of the amount of the force’s resources that had been devoted to the corruption probe.

It remains unclear why the North Yorkshire force will foot the bill for the “scoping” stage of the inquiry. Money spent on the inquiry after April this year is being reclaimed by the force. The investigation, which is costing more than £100,000 a month, continues.

Mr Smith said: “While mutual aid between police forces is common, this is a substantial figure to have been spent on a complex investigation when there was no guarantee any of the money could be reclaimed.

“It appears that, yet again, large amounts of North Yorkshire taxpayers’ money have been spent on internal police matters, rather than on the front line. Serious questions must be asked about the decision- making process that has led to this situation.”

NYPA chairman, Jane Kenyon, last night hit back at Mr Smith’s comments, saying North Yorkshire Police undertook the “scoping” stage of the inquiry as a result of a direct request from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to the force’s chief constable – common practice when outside forces are required to carry out investigations.

She said: “Any criminal investigation falls under the direction and control of the chief constable and the necessary resources will be applied to the investigation based on the seriousness of the alleged offences and professional judgement.”