About the Compliance Officer for IPSA

Our remit is defined in statute and is to:

• conduct an investigation if we have reason to believe an MP may have been paid an amount under the Scheme of MPs' Staffing and Business Costs that should not have been allowed; and

• at the request of an MP review a decision by IPSA to refuse reimbursement for an expense claim in whole or in part.

The Acts governing IPSA and the Compliance Officer for IPSA are:

• Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

• Parliamentary Standards Act 2009

We conduct investigations and reviews under the Procedures for Investigations by the Compliance Officer for IPSA (fifth edition).

These procedures are provided by IPSA to the Compliance Officer.

You can view the previous (fourth) edition here.

We are not responsible for investigating complaints relating to the registration of financial interests held by MPs, nor the investigation of allegations that MPs have breached the rules set out in the House of Commons Code of Conduct.

For more information on complaints of this nature, please contact the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

The current Compliance Officer for IPSA is Matt Walker.

Matt served for 30 years as a police officer, retiring in 2022 as a Detective Superintendent. Matt is an experienced investigator, having been a Senior Investigating Officer and Crime Commander in North Yorkshire Police.

In the field of conduct and standards, Matt is a trained and experienced Appropriate Authority, the delegated decision maker for public complaints and reports of misconduct or criminal allegations.

As Head of Professional Standards, Matt was responsible for conduct and standards, complaints and ethics, alongside anti-corruption, vetting and integrity. Experienced in managing investigations and proceedings for regulated professions, Matt has been the decision-maker at all stages of regulatory compliance, from instigating investigations to taking cases through misconduct hearings, appeals and independent adjudication.

Matt has broad experience in applying an investigative mindset and ECHR principles to ensure proportionate use of state powers.

Matt is an Associate Inspector for His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), specialising in tackling serious organised crime, professional standards, vetting, anti-corruption and integrity.