Suspended master will not face charges

A London headteacher arrested over expenses fraud allegations will not face criminal charges.

After a four-month investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence against him.

Paul Patrick, 53, was released from bail but remains suspended by Cardinal Wiseman School, in Greenford, after detectives uncovered "other matters".

The new allegations are said to focus on expenses claimed during consultancy work.

A source close to the school had said that an alleged fraud, involving up to £500,000, had possible links to its Cuba exchange programme.

Mr Patrick was arrested in April at his north London home, then suspended on full pay for "possible administrative irregularities".

He vehemently denies any wrong-doing.

The governing board of the technologies and humanities college, run by the Catholic Diocese of Westminster, refused to let him back to school for the start of term yesterday and will hold an audit.

Mr Patrick has been credited by Ofsted with turning Cardinal Wiseman into one of London's highest-achieving schools during his 12 years in charge.