Former Middlesbrough Mayor calls for inquiry after charges against him dropped
Andy Preston always denied allegations of failing to disclose financial interests
Last updated 15th Aug 2023
The former Middlesbrough mayor is demanding an official inquiry, after charges against him - over alleged financial interests - were dropped.
Andy Preston was facing four counts of allegedly failing to disclosed financial interests to Middlesbrough Council when he was mayor, and due to face magistrates later this month.
Mr Preston had always denied all the charges, and now says he wants answers about the “scandalous waste of public money”.
However, within days the criminal proceedings against Mr Preston, who lost by 760 votes to Labour’s Chris Cooke in the 2023 election after serving as mayor since 2019, were discontinued.
Now he says he wants answers about how the allegation was allowed to proceed so far through the criminal justice system, causing great stress to him and his family. He said: “I’m furious that the police and the CPS made that possible.”
He said an independent investigation by an expert law firm had proved months ago there was no case to answer: “When the police announcement was made last week, I knew I had done nothing wrong and immediately predicted with total confidence that the charges would be dropped. That has now proved to be the case.
“It is an absolute scandal that the police inexplicably progressed the matter to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service), and that they then decided it should go to court and set a date.”
He added that it caused “great stress to me and my family”.
He added: “I want answers – not just for myself but because this case raises serious questions about the integrity of the criminal justice system, and it could happen to anyone. Lessons have to be learned because what has been allowed to happen is just plain wrong.”
Mr Preston claimed there had been “disturbing errors of judgement” by Cleveland Police and the CPS and it would have cost the public thousands of pounds in wasted time and resources. He said he thinks there had been political pressure and motivations.
He said the allegation that he failed to make appropriate declarations of interests at four council meetings was proved false by expert lawyers who conducted an independent investigation over several months on behalf of Middlesbrough Council.
Mr Preston added: “I know some people will believe that I should be delighted that the CPS has dropped the case, but I don’t feel any sense of delight or relief because I knew all along that I was completely innocent. I’m furious that not only did the police progress the investigation despite independent lawyers having already cleared me of any wrongdoing, but the CPS then set a date.”
He said public money has been wasted and valuable time used up by police “who surely have more important things to do”.
He added: “Everyone who reads this should be concerned – not for me but for them. This can happen to anyone.”
A CPS spokesperson said: “In all criminal cases it is the duty of prosecutors to continuously review all available evidence. At each stage, any case must be supported by sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and it must also be in the public interest to proceed with a prosecution.
“After the charges had been brought in this case, the Crown Prosecution Service received additional relevant information from those representing Mr Preston. We conducted a further review of the case with the inclusion of this material and found insufficient evidence to support any criminal charges. We then took the appropriate decision to discontinue the case against Mr Preston.”
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said:
“Cleveland Police has a legal duty to investigate any case brought to the attention of the force.
“Where there are lines of enquiry, a thorough investigation is undertaken and all relevant evidence submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“We are satisfied that in this case we fulfilled our duty by conducting a comprehensive investigation, in line with the relevant legislation, and presenting the case to the CPS.
“Any subsequent decision around the case being discontinued is a matter for the CPS”.Cleveland Police has also been contacted for comment.