Judges cleared in corruption inquiry

Police say they are no longer investigating the judges

Two Merseyside judges, suspended over allegations of corruption, have been cleared.

Merseyside's most senior magistrate district judge David Tapp was arrested in November 2001 along with Liverpool solicitor Kevin Dooley and six magistrates' clerks.

The following month, District Judge Paul Firth, who used to sit at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, was also suspended as part of the same investigation.

Merseyside Police say officers are no longer investigating the two district judges and three of the clerks.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "Following a criminal investigation by Merseyside Police into a number of court officials, it has been decided not to take further action against three court clerks and two district judges.

"In respect of a number of other court officials and a solicitor the investigation is ongoing."

The investigation, code-named Lone Star, is being carried out by the police, the Lord Chancellor's Department, Merseyside Magistrates Committee and the Crown Prosecution Service.