HAVING a criminal justice system that can be trusted is important for us all.
But the disturbing saga surrounding former Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston is a cause for concern.
Last week, an announcement by Cleveland Police that Mr Preston was facing charges – and a scheduled court appearance – for allegedly failing to disclose financial interests to Middlesbrough Borough Council, was splashed across the front pages of the local papers, with the story also aired extensively by social media commentators.
And yet, here we are, days later, with the Crown Prosecution Service backtracking and dropping the charges.
It is an embarrassment for the CPS and, not surprisingly, Mr Preston is angry. He has every right to be – not least because an independent investigation by an expert law firm, months ago, had concluded that there was no case to answer.
So, why did Cleveland Police decide to progress the allegations against Mr Preston up to the CPS. And why did the CPS see fit to go ahead with setting a court date?
Journalists can’t be blamed for running prominently with the story. A former elected Mayor facing a court appearance is undoubtedly in the public interest. It’s news.
But the police and the CPS should be questioned for allowing allegations to get so far, only to be embarrassingly dropped within days.
The fact that Mr Preston is convinced that the charges resulted from a politically motivated complaint by an opponent adds fuel to the fire. Whether that is true or not, it looks murky and nasty, and the failings of the CPS have made it worse.
Mr Preston has called it “a scandalous waste of public money” and he is right to call for an official inquiry.