No criminal investigation to follow from Robert Jenrick, Newark MP and Housing Secretary's, approval for Tower Hamlets development

The Metropolitan Police will not be embarking upon a criminal investigation in relation to a £1bn property deal that was given planning consent by the Newark MP Robert Jenrick in his role as the Secretary of State for Housing.

The Metropolitan Police's Special Enquiry Team has concluded the information provided in an allegation made on May 27 did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation, meaning there will be no further police action at this time.

Mr Jenrick overruled his planning inspectorate to grant planning permission for a 1,500 home development ­— one day before new rules would have meant the developer had to pay an extra £30 to £50m for local infrastructure.

When the case was taken to court by Tower Hamlets council, the government admitted the timing of the decision “would lead the fair-minded and informed observer to conclude there was a real possibility (Robert Jenrick) was biased.”

The government rejected there was any actual bias in the decision.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "(We) can confirm that the Metropolitan Police received an allegation on Wednesday, 27 May relating to a property development in east London.

"The details were assessed by officers from the Special Enquiry Team who concluded the information provided did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation.

"There will be no further police action at this time. All parties involved have been informed of this decision."

Mr Jenrick is understood to have been informed by Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick personally.

The leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, said there were serious questions about the handling of the matter.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government said: “While we reject the suggestion that there was any actual bias in the decision, we have agreed that the application will be redetermined.”