 As to Belcher's dealings with Bloch, according to a Metropolitan Police report it would be possible to mount criminal charges, but Shawcross believed that it would sufficient if Belcher resigned his parliamentary seat.In the event, no criminal proceedings were instituted against Belcher or anyone else connected with the investigation.On 13 December 1948, while the hearings were still proceeding, Belcher had formally resigned from his ministerial post, while expressing his intention of remaining as MP for Sowerby.