Leicestershire councillor Tony Kershaw restored to party ranks and scrutiny role
Police are to take no further action against a councillor who was arrested on suspicion of assault.
Tony Kershaw was suspended from Leicestershire County Council Conservative group last month after being arrested following an allegation of assault.
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Tony Kershaw's suspension was lifted by the Tories
Police yesterday said they had fully investigated the matter and, along with the Crown Prosecution Service, concluded there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.
The Tory group lifted Councillor Kershaw's suspension with immediate effect and restored him to his role as a scrutiny commissioner.
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The 75-year-old former county council chairman, who lives in Anstey, said: "As far as I am concerned, the clock will turn back.
"I have maintained my innocence throughout this difficult episode and I am pleased this is now behind me.
"I'm grateful to those who have supported me and I look forward to resuming my duties as a Conservative councillor for Quorn and Barrow, as well as being the lead scrutiny commissioner for the group at County Hall."
Council leader Nick Rushton said: "Tony's suspension from the group was always without prejudice and he understood this while the case against him was ongoing.
"Now it's been dropped, Tony will get back to his job."
Coun Kershaw's arrest had cast doubts over whether he would be selected to defend his Quorn and Barrow seat in May's county council elections.
Coun Rushton said he would play no part in whether Loughborough Conservative Association choose to stick with Coun Kershaw or select another candidate.
The association will meet next week to decide whether they wish to keep Coun Kershaw as a candidate.
Association chairman Trevor Ranson said: "I will be circulating the information to members of the association in Quorn and Barrow.
"We had it confirmed that the police aren't continuing the case against Tony but we will still have to talk about the situation that has happened.
"To the best of my knowledge, everybody is happy with the work Tony has done as a county councillor ."
One senior Tory councillor at County Hall, who did not want to be named, said: "I would imagine they will stick with Tony, though I know there is someone else defending a small majority who would like to stand in his seat because it is safely Conservative.
"I think they will keep Tony but the problem they may have is that people always remember the allegation, not the fact it is dropped."
A police spokeswoman said: "A full investigation was carried out in relation to the allegation of assault, the Crown Prosecution Service was consulted and there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.
"The 75-year-old man arrested in connection with the allegation has had his bail cancelled."
5 Comments
by Marog
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 7:26PM
“@ Truthysout
"please note the phrase no smoke without fire here!"
This is a weasel phrases used by those who cannot demonstrate guilt and thus have to resort to a "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" approach to attempt to trash reputation.
We enjoy a presumption of innocence.”
by Truthsout
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 6:42PM
“insufficient evidence to prosecute-meaning it's his word against the complainant and no proof or serious injuries so case dismissed.just like the last time.you notice it never reports who he allegedly assaulted .was it the same person or persons as last time ? What a bunch of double standard hypocrites these torys are!!! let's consider the evidence.2009 councillor no1 pays off the competition in the last county elections-result -gets a mild slap on the wrist and is even defended in this paper by the local (tory -there's a surprise) MP as having done nothing wrong!!! vote rigging ok by the torys then! councillor no2 arrested for ALLEGED assault -not enough evidence case dismissed-result mild slap on the wrist and resumes duties as though nothing's happened. being allegedly violent ok by the torys then.councillor no 3 watches a mucky dvd on a council laptop in his own time with his own wife -result mild slap on the wrist and resumes duties.Now lets wind forward a few years -councillor no1 case never heard of again still enjoying the power.councillor no 2 is arrested AGAIN!!!! same pathetic punishment and resumes position without another word (please note the phrase no smoke without fire here!) TWO ALLEGED ASSAULTS TWO CASE DISMISSALS mmmmmm I am starting to smell something here! Councillor no 3 has original case leaked and is promptly exposed in the local and national press with NO word of support from his leader or local MP -hung out to dry and promptly sacked!!!!! al for speaking the truth!!! DOUBLE STANDARDS!!!! perhaps councillor no3 should have booked dvd to his expenses,watched it in working hours with his mistress and then he'd have probably been let off!!! ROLL ON MAY !!!! let's put this bunch of double standard,hypocritical ,back stabbing lot were they belong IN LAND FILL! (only because I wouldn't recycle them in case we got some more!)”
by Truthsout
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 6:41PM
“insufficient evidence to prosecute-meaning it's his word against the complainant and no proof or serious injuries so case dismissed.just like the last time.you notice it never reports who he allegedly assaulted .was it the same person or persons as last time ? What a bunch of double standard hypocrites these torys are!!! let's consider the evidence.2009 councillor no1 pays off the competition in the last county elections-result -gets a mild slap on the wrist and is even defended in this paper by the local (tory -there's a surprise) MP as having done nothing wrong!!! vote rigging ok by the torys then! councillor no2 arrested for ALLEGED assault -not enough evidence case dismissed-result mild slap on the wrist and resumes duties as though nothing's happened. being allegedly violent ok by the torys then.councillor no 3 watches a mucky dvd on a council laptop in his own time with his own wife -result mild slap on the wrist and resumes duties.Now lets wind forward a few years -councillor no1 case never heard of again still enjoying the power.councillor no 2 is arrested AGAIN!!!! same pathetic punishment and resumes position without another word (please note the phrase no smoke without fire here!) TWO ALLEGED ASSAULTS TWO CASE DISMISSALS mmmmmm I am starting to smell something here! Councillor no 3 has original case leaked and is promptly exposed in the local and national press with NO word of support from his leader or local MP -hung out to dry and promptly sacked!!!!! al for speaking the truth!!! DOUBLE STANDARDS!!!! perhaps councillor no3 should have booked dvd to his expenses,watched it in working hours with his mistress and then he'd have probably been let off!!! ROLL ON MAY !!!! let's put this bunch of double standard,hypocritical ,back stabbing lot were they belong IN LAND FILL! (only because I wouldn't recycle them in case we got some more!)”
by Truthsout
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 6:34PM
“insufficient evidence to prosecute-meaning it's his word against the complainant and no proof or serious injuries so case dismissed.just like the last time.you notice it never reports who he allegedly assaulted .was it the same person or persons as last time ? What a bunch of double standard hypocrites these torys are!!! let's consider the evidence.2009 councillor no1 pays off the competition in the last county elections-result -gets a mild slap on the wrist and is even defended in this paper by the local (tory -there's a surprise) MP as having done nothing wrong!!! vote rigging ok by the torys then! councillor no2 arrested for ALLEGED assault -not enough evidence case dismissed-result mild slap on the wrist and resumes duties as though nothing's happened. being allegedly violent ok by the torys then.councillor no 3 watches a mucky dvd on a council laptop in his own time with his own wife -result mild slap on the wrist and resumes duties.Now lets wind forward a few years -councillor no1 case never heard of again still enjoying the power.councillor no 2 is arrested AGAIN!!!! same pathetic punishment and resumes position without another word (please note the phrase no smoke without fire here!) TWO ALLEGED ASSAULTS TWO CASE DISMISSALS mmmmmm I am starting to smell something here! Councillor no 3 has original case leaked and is promptly exposed in the local and national press with NO word of support from his leader or local MP -hung out to dry and promptly sacked!!!!! al for speaking the truth!!! DOUBLE STANDARDS!!!! perhaps councillor no3 should have booked dvd to his expenses,watched it in working hours with his mistress and then he'd have probably been let off!!! ROLL ON MAY !!!! let's put this bunch of double standard,hypocritical ,back stabbing lot were they belong IN LAND FILL! (only because I wouldn't recycle them in case we got some more!)”
by jonger
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 1:19PM
“{there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.}
In other words unfounded allegation - no case to answer but the man has to face the stigma of the original allegation as that's what people remember not the fact the case was dropped.”