Fraud police are to determine whether to investigate claims against the severance packages and benefits paid to senior BBC managers, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.
Conservative MP Rob Wilson has asked Metropolitan Police to consider a fraud probe after a National Audit Office (NAO) report detailed payments of hundreds of thousands of pounds to executives who may not have been entitled to them.
The report revealed that the broadcaster spent £25 million on severance payments for 150 staff in a three-year period up to December, and paid more than staff were entitled to in a quarter of cases.
The force has told Wilson that officers from the Fraud Squad, Specialist, Organised and Economic Crime Command will decide whether to pursue claims of misconduct in public office and fraud.
“We are currently gathering information to assist with our assessment and a decision will be made as to whether we progress to a full investigation in due course,” Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley wrote to Wilson.
Police mulling probe over BBC payouts
