A CRIMINAL inquiry will not be held into allegations of bribery or misconduct in public office by a former Colchester councillor.

Senior officers reviewed evidence after a Sunday newspaper claimed peers had offered to take fees in return for proposing amendments to Bills in the House of Lords.

The accused included Lord Truscott, 49, who, as Peter Truscott, was Labour’s political organiser in Colchester from 1986 to 1989 and represented St Andrew’s on Colchester Council from 1988 until 1992.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement last night that Assistant Commissioner John Yates decided not to proceed as it was unclear how the law should apply and it would be difficult to gather evidence.