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Police whistleblowing case

A woman, who works for Cumbria Police, will not face criminal action over an alleged leak about the expenses of Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes. The 50 year old woman is still suspended.

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Full Report: No criminal action in Cumbria Police whistleblowing case

One of Cumbria's MPs says questions should be asked about why the county's police force spent so much time and money investigating a whistle-blowing case - only for it to end with no charges being brought.

The 6 month investigation followed the leaking of information about the Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes's expenses.

However, MP Tim Farron says the decision not to prosecute vindicates his view that these were whistleblowers and not criminals.

Tim Backshall reports.

Tim Farron MP: "Questions should be asked" about handling of whistleblowing case

The MP for South Lakes, Tim Farron, has commented on the news that no one will be prosecuted after a six-month long police investigation into a whistle-blower who leaked a crime commissioner's expenses claims for chauffeur-driven cars.

"I welcome the news that the final person who remained under investigation over the Richard Rhodes leaked documents case has been released without charge.

"This is good news and vindicates what I and others have been saying for months - that these people are whistleblowers and not criminals."

“The Police have spent a huge amount of money and time on this investigation while disrupting the lives and careers of a number of people by these arrests.

"Given that people in Cumbria sometimes feel let down by the way the Police allocate resources, questions should be asked about why the Force spent so much time and resources on a case that affected the constabulary itself when we have finished with no action being taken.”

– Tim Farron MP

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Cumbria whistleblowing case: Police statement

Police in Cumbria have released the following statement in relation to news that a woman who works for Cumbria Police, will not face criminal action over an alleged leak about the expenses of Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes.

"The criminal investigation by Cumbria Constabulary, launched after police received concerns that information was leaked to the media relating to the Police and Crime Commissioner, is now complete.

"A 50 year old woman, an employee of Cumbria Constabulary, arrested on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office on 10 April 2013, will face no criminal action.

"A misconduct investigation will now commence in relation to any internal breach of the Code of Conduct. She remains suspended from work.

"Cumbria Constabulary’s staff and police officers have a duty to protect and manage the information they have privileged access to.

"Any allegations relating to a breach of this position need to be investigated to ensure our communities can have trust and confidence in the way we deliver policing in the county."

Woman faces no criminal action after police info leak concerns

A woman who was arrested on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct while working for Cumbria Police will face no criminal action.

Her arrest related to concerns that information had been leaked to the media relating to the Police and Crime Commissioner on 10 April 2013.

The 50-year-old woman remains suspended from work.

Police will now begin a misconduct investigation in relation to any believed internal breach of the force's code of conduct.

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