THE chief of Bicester Defence Storage and Distribution Centre is back at work after being cleared following an investigation into “financial propriety”.

Neil Firth was one of a number of staff who were suspended on full pay in April pending an investigation.

But the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed an investigation found no evidence of misconduct.

A previous investigation by the Defence Fraud Analysis Unit also concluded there was no evidence fraud had been committed.

An MoD spokesman said: “The MoD takes its responsibility to ensure financial propriety very seriously.

“Pending the outcome of an internal investigation, led by an independent senior civil servant, it was decided to suspend, on full pay, a number of distribution centre staff, including the chief executive.

“This investigation has now concluded and found no evidence of misconduct by the chief executive or other staff suspended.

“The suspensions were therefore lifted with effect from June 8, 2009.”

It was understood the investigation focused on contracts which had been awarded to other organisations.

The investigation report was unavailable for public inspection and the Oxford Mail has made a Freedom of Information request to view it.

Mr Firth took over as chief executive of the base in April 2006.

The main role of the base at Bicester is to stock and supply equipment to UK armed forces wherever they are in service across the globe.