Grobbelaar case defence lawyer dies

Mr Grobbelaar was cleared of conspiracy to fix matches

The lawyer who successfully defended footballer Bruce Grobbelaar against bribery allegations has died of cancer.

Sir Rodney Klevan QC, who also successfully defended former Liverpool City Council deputy leader Derek Hatton against fraud charges, was diagnosed with the disease four years ago.

Sir Rodney, described as "the best lawyer in the world" by Mr Hatton after being cleared in 1995, died at his Manchester home on Boxing Day, aged 61.

The father-of-three also successfully defended radio and television presenter Stuart Hall against a shoplifting charge.

'Court showman'

A year after defending Grobbelaar in 1997, Sir Rodney was appointed a High Court judge.

His eldest son, Dr Andrew Klevan, 32, said: "My father was a very spirited man who was known for his humour and his honesty.

"He was quite a showman in court and very stylish.

"He was born in Manchester and he died here.

"He loved Manchester and Liverpool and was very committed to the region."

Sir Rodney, who was widowed, was called to the Bar in 1966 and took Silk in 1984.

He was appointed a Recorder in 1980, and in 1996 became Leader of the Northern Circuit.

Sir Rodney was also a distinguished after-dinner speaker and had appeared on BBC's Question Time.