THE Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has dropped four recent complaints about the conduct of Cleveland Crime Commissioner Steve Turner.

It has returned the four allegations to the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel, saying there was insufficient indication that any criminal offences had taken place.

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The four allegations related to an alleged assault in 2019; allegedly providing inaccurate information to the media; and two complaints from the same person regarding alleged data protection breaches.

An investigation into a historic sexual assault allegation made against Mr Turner, dating back to the 1980s, is ongoing.

A spokesman for the IOPC said: "Following a meeting of the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel on Thursday (December 16), we received a referral regarding the alleged conduct of Mr Turner, bringing the total number of referrals linked to him to eight.

"In addition to the four referrals returned to the Panel today (December 22), one is subject to an ongoing investigation and three were previously returned to the Panel following our assessment."

Here is an update on the IOPC's involvement in each of the allegations against Mr Turner.

• The IOPC is made aware of a historic sexual assault allegation made against the Conservative PCC for Cleveland, dating back to the 1980s, which it determined should be investigated. Avon and Somerset Police is carrying this out, under the IOPC's  direction and control, and a senior investigating officer was appointed on November 22.

• The IOPC received two referrals relating to historic theft allegations against Mr Turner. It 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. Both matters were returned to the Panel in November.

• A complaint that a police caution received in relation to one of the theft matters had not been declared during the PCC election process was also returned to the Panel in November after the IOPC found there was no legal requirement for candidates to declare any police cautions they may have received. As such, there was no evidence an offence may have been committed.

• In December, the IOPC is received four referrals that it assessed to determine whether an investigation was required. They relate to: an alleged assault in 2019; allegedly providing inaccurate information to the media; and two complaints from the same individual regarding alleged data protection breaches. Based on the available evidence, the IOPC is did not find sufficient indication that any criminal offences may have taken place and they have now been returned to the Panel and Mr Turner has been made aware.

A spokesman for the IOPC said: "When assessing referrals, we are looking for any indication that the evidence and public interest contained within them meets the legal threshold for an investigation to be necessary.

"When a referral is returned, it is for the Police and Crime Panel to deal with any matters in a reasonable and proportionate manner."

Mr Turner shared his delight at the news in a post on social media this afternoon.

He said: "As I and my family go into Xmas it is good that these allegations do not require any further investigation and, whilst it is right that due process happens, quite frankly they should never have been put into the public domain in the first place.

"We’d like to thank all of you who have supported us so far and wish you a very, merry Christmas and I look forward to building on the great plans I’ve got for 2022 and beyond."

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