Corruption probe city 'damaged'

Former Mayor Mark Meredith was cleared of criminal wrongdoing

Stoke-on-Trent's reputation has been damaged by a probe into allegations of corruption, a politics professor says.

The Crown Prosecution Service decided last week not to bring charges against former Mayor Mark Meredith, Councillor Roger Ibbs and businessman Mo Chaudry.

It centred around the council's proposed closure of the Splash Pool facility at a Burslem leisure centre.

Mick Temple, of Staffordshire University, said it did not "paint a nice picture" of the city.

He said it was another thing for the authority to deal with following enforced changes to its system of government.

'Mud sticks'

It opted for a council and cabinet system after the government told it its unique system of a mayor and council manager was not working.

Mr Temple said: "The investigation of course has damaged the council - these things always do.

"Mud always sticks, no matter how unfounded it is as it of course has been in this case.

"But added to all the recent problems with the council with the government and various other activities going on it doesn't add up to a very nice picture of Stoke-on-Trent."

Mr Ibbs was arrested on suspicion of corruption in public office in February followed a month later by Mr Meredith on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and complicity in corruption while in public office.

Mr Chaudry, millionaire owner of Stoke-on-Trent attraction Waterworld, was arrested in April on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said it was considering whether to refer any issues to its standards committee.