Former Swansea Council boss Lawrence Bailey has been cleared of allegations he had illegal indecent images on his official council laptop.
The news follows a three-month police probe that involved the detailed examination of a number of computers and other items of electronic equipment taken from his family home. Mr Bailey, a former Lord Mayor, had sent the laptop to the council's IT department for repairs in April. Police were called in by the council on May 4 and he was arrested outside his Birchgrove home the following day.
Mr Bailey had denied any wrongdoing from the outset. Detectives now say they are not pursuing any charges.His legal spokesman said: "We have been advised by police that following a thorough investigation, no action is to be brought in respect of this matter."
Speaking from his Swansea home, Councillor Bailey said he was "obviously delighted" to have been officially cleared of the allegations.
He said: "It was an outcome that was never in any doubt to me or my family during this dreadful ordeal."It is regrettable that things were ever taken so far to start with but I have been advised not to add anything further in order to reserve my legal options in this respect."
As a family, we want to express our gratitude to the police for their courtesy and understanding during their very comprehensive investigation."We also want to thank friends, colleagues and supporters for the many cards and calls we received throughout."
It has been a traumatic three months but our priority now is to get our lives back on track and put the whole matter well and truly behind us."
Mr Bailey has been a councillor since 1983, having joined the Labour Party five years earlier.Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi, who led the investigation, said the matter had now been referred back to the council."
I can confirm the criminal allegations passed to us by Swansea Council have been investigated and advice sought from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)," he said.
"The CPS have advised there will not be any criminal prosecution in respect of these matters."A report in respect of the findings will now be referred to Swansea Council for their consideration and any action they may feel is appropriate."
A council spokesman said the authority wanted to make it clear there were never any allegations made by the council against Councillor Bailey, who represents the city's Llansamlet area.
He said: "Matters were referred to the police for investigation in order for the police to determine whether any criminal proceedings were appropriate in the circumstances.
"We await the referral of the full report on the findings of the police in relation to this matter.
"This report will be immediately referred to the ombudsman for him to determine whether there has been a breach of the code of conduct for members and for him to consider whether any further action is appropriate."
