BBC reporter escapes prosecution

The Crown Prosecution Service said it had advised Greater Manchester Police there was insufficient evidence to take Mark Daly to court for deception.

Police officers were recorded making racist comments in The Secret Policemen documentary, broadcast last month.

Six officers resigned and two more were suspended, and the Police Complaints Authority launched an investigation.

Damage

Mr Daly spent five-and-a-half months working as a policeman with Greater Manchester Police.

He was arrested on suspicion of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception and damaging police property.

On Tuesday, CPS spokesman Christopher Enzor said: "A file was sent to the CPS in August concerning Mr Daly who, as an undercover reporter for the BBC, spent nine months training and working as a police constable.

"The evidence in this case was reviewed according to the Code for Crown Prosecutors and it was decided there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against Mr Daly for any offence."

The BBC had said any pay Mr Daly received had been kept in a separate bank account and was to be returned to the force at the end of the investigation.

It has also offered to pay for damage caused to Mr Daly's protective clothing, which was altered to hold a pinhole camera and battery pack.

The eight officers shown in the documentary were from Greater Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales forces.