Police defend decision to investigate former Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow

Mr Barrow waited eight months while police decided whether or not to proceed with an investigation into a complaint claiming he was responsible for misconduct in a public office.

The matter was completely discontinued last week with no charge.

Mr Barrow has called for a review of how complaints against councillors are investigated, saying he was concerned that police resources are being wasted and the council's reputation damaged.

But West Mercia Police's Detective Inspector Mark Glazzard said that police must investigate reports that suggest alleged misconduct.

He said: "West Mercia Police is duty-bound to investigate reports of alleged criminal conduct and uses resources that are proportionate to the nature of the matters under investigation.

"Having received a complaint at the end of November 2015, we conducted an investigation into an alleged offence under the Localism Act 2011 in Shropshire.

"This investigation was concluded and no further action will be taken in relation to this matter."

Senior Shropshire councillor Andy Boddington also rejected calls for a review into how complaints against councillors are investigated.

The Liberal Democrat councillor for Ludlow North said he disagrees with Mr Barrow, saying it is important all complaints are thoroughly investigated.

He said: "I don't think that would be right.

"I am not suggesting that he did anything wrong but Keith fails to recognise that it is very hard for staff to challenge a council leader at a time when all jobs are automatically on the redundancy line.

"I am glad Keith has been cleared for the sake of his reputation and that of Shropshire Council.

"But sometimes the police will be the only option available when councillors may have crossed the line."

In a statement issued through his solicitor, Paul Bennett, Mr Barrow had said the legal obligation for councils to investigate complaints "irrespective of their merit" should be reviewed.

Mr Bennett said: "The wider issue for Mr Barrow remains that the current manner in which complaints are managed by both the police and the council, is a significant drain upon their resources, and that by necessity, resources have been expended in dealing with a misconceived complaint. The legal obligation to investigate such complaints, irrespective of their obvious lack of merit, does require a review and amending.

"The decision to refer matters of political life to the police is an unfortunate recent development. It does nothing to enhance the reputation of any council or public body, and is, often, as in this case very wasteful in terms of police resources."

The statement also revealed that Mr Barrow had resigned because of the effect the investigation was having on the council.

Mr Bennett said: "Mr Barrow had long intended to retire as leader of Shropshire Council during the course of 2016 in any event, but the distraction cause by this matter was harmful to the council so this was brought forward.

"He hopes that these unfortunate events will not put off others from serving in public life, although having completed a long period of leadership of Shropshire Council, Mr Barrow did feel it was time for others to pick up the challenge moving forward, and he wishes the Shropshire Council, and his former constituents all the very best for the future."