A news release from Mike Hancock MP says:
MP welcomes dropping of police action over allegations against him
Hampshire Police have today confirmed that after consultation with the Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS) that they are dropping any further action against Mike Hancock MP (Lib Dem – Portsmouth South) over allegations made against him in August.
Mike Hancock said: “I have always maintained my innocence over this. I have co-operated fully with police at all times and at all times vigorously contested these allegations. They have now been fully investigated and I am obviously pleased that the CPS and Police have concluded that there is absolutely no case for me to answer over them and are dropping any further action. I hope that this will draw a line under this for all concerned.”
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6 Comments
From the full statement made, it appears that the whole thing was, at best, misconceived from the start. I’m glad Mike’s torment on this particular question has been brought to a close.
It does, however, lead me back to the discussion as to whether there should be anonymity for those accused in sexual offences, at least until the trial.
It is proper that ALL allegations are investigated in a thorough, prompt and sensitive manner, but I think there needs to be a balance struck between transparency of justice and the anguish that the friends and family of those wrongly accused suffer.
In such matters there is often an inbuilt presumption of guilt amongst the public at large. Despite this, there is an abysmal conviction rate, which is similarly worrying.
Despite there being not enough evidence to press charges, Mike Hancock has been smeared by these allegations. This seems terribly wrong.
@Geoffrey I agree – so you were presumably in favour the the colaition policy (now dropped) of anomynity in such cases?
We only have to look at the Julian Assange case to find that people are smeared with allegations in order to stop people listening to them.
The same goes for politicians. As a former elected representative if I had £1 for every time somebody said or wrote an untruth about me, my family, character or conduct I’d probably be a millionaire by now!
Unfortunately mudslinging goes hand in hand with politics.
“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
Absolutely great, wonderful news!
Wasn’t it that Guido Fawkes who published most of the smears about Hancock? I hope he sues Harry Cole for all those disgusting comments.