Lord Hanningfield wins compensation case

A former Tory peer found guilty of fiddling his House of Lords expenses, has successfully sued Essex Police over his arrest for a separate fraud allegation.

While Lord Hanningfield was leader of Essex County Council, it was alleged he'd fraudulently used his corporate credit card.

No charges were brought and the 72-year-old claimed he was unlawfully arrested.

Today a High Court judge agreed with him, and awarded £3,500 in damages. Serena Sandhu reports.

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Lord Hanningfield speaks to Serena Sandhu about his High Court victory for compensation against Essex Police.

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Lord Hanningfield has said he is to give his compensation from wrongful arrest to the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

Earlier today the Tory peer was awarded at the High Court £3,500 for wrongful arrest.

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Essex Police have issued the following statement in reaction to Lord Hanningfield winning his compensation case.

Essex Police is disappointed with today’s judgment and are considering the merits of appealing the decision.

We note that the court accepted that officers had acted in good faith and that they had honestly believed the arrest was necessary.

The decision to arrest is never taken lightly and we recognise the right of individuals to challenge such decisions before the Courts.

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Disgraced Essex Peer Lord Hanningfield has won his fight for compensation from the police for wrongful arrest. He wins £3,500 in compensation.

Lord Hanningfield had told ITV News Anglia that he would give any compensation to charity.

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