NO further action will be taken on theft allegations made against Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner after three complaints against him were dropped.

The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has dismissed claims of malicious historical theft and illegally submitting election papers, which were “completely false”, Mr Turner said. 

The Tory PCC, who was elected into post in May, was referred to the IOPC after it emerged he had received a police caution in the 1990s after admitting handling £15 worth of stolen goods while a manager at a former Safeway supermarket.

Another non-recent allegation was made, but that has also been dismissed. 

A third referral, which accused him of acting illegally when submitting his election papers prior to being voted into the post in May by not revealing the police caution, has also been dismissed.

Read more: Cleveland PCC Steve Turner accepts handling stolen goods

Mr Turner said he believed the claims were made to damage his reputation, adding that the allegations had caused “unbelievable amounts of stress and upset to me and my family”. 

Investigations into an allegation of historical sexual assault are still ongoing.

In a statement released on social media on Monday, Mr Turner said: “Today I can formally announce that the Independent Office of Police Conduct has said they will not be taking any action against me regarding the malicious historical theft allegations made by a Labour MP and another “anonymous” source.

“They also confirmed that the allegation by a former Welsh Labour PCC that I had acted illegally when submitting my election papers was also completely false.
“I believe that these allegations were designed in an attempt to cause significant damage to my reputation.

“Whilst there is still a serious allegation outstanding that must be thoroughly investigated, I am confident the process will provide the right outcome and prove my innocence.

“At that point, it will be interesting to see how the Labour leader, members of his shadow cabinet, MPs, local Labour Party members, activists, certain Cllrs and the Northern Echo choose to respond.

“All of these allegations have caused unbelievable amounts of stress and upset to me and my family as well as a significant amount of resources to carry out the investigations that have now been dismissed.

“For now though the most important thing for me is to thank everyone who has supported us so far. With that ongoing support, I will continue in the role I’m proud to hold and I will do the job you elected me to do despite the concerted witch hunt that has been orchestrated against me.”

The IOPC confirmed said it returned three referrals from the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel after they did not warrant an investigation. 

A spokesman for the IOPC said: “Two referrals related to non-recent allegations of theft. We found insufficient evidence that a criminal offence may have taken place in one of those matters, while the other was investigated by police at the time and a police caution subsequently issued. As such a further investigation by the IOPC is not required at this time.

“The other referral concerned a complaint that a police caution received in relation to one of the theft matters had not been declared during the PCC election process. As there was no legal requirement to declare a police caution, there was no evidence any offence may have been committed.”

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