Warrington Tories swipe at 'not guilty' council leader

Cllr Russ Bowden was on trial at Liverpool Crown Court over alleged electoral malpractice offences - following the five-day trial of the council leader, the jury unanimously found Cllr Bowden not guilty.

The Labour council leader was subsequently cleared of all charges by HHJ Louise Brandon at the court.

Cllr Bowden was found not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Following the verdict, Cllr Bowden spoke to the Warrington Guardian, saying: "This case should never have been brought to court.

"One month before the trial the CPS conceded that they had applied the wrong legal test and having made that concession they failed to and should have properly reviewed the case.

"The law is clear: home address is based on an individual's personal circumstances. I have always maintained my innocence and today the unanimous verdict by the jury demonstrates the truth of what I have been saying should never have been doubted."

The Crown Prosecution Service responded to Cllr Bowden's statement, telling the Warrington Guardian: "The decision to charge was made after careful consideration of all the evidence available in line with our legal test.

“It is not the function of the CPS to decide if a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent, and objective assessments based on the evidence and whether it is in the public interest to prosecute.”

The council leader was first charged with the offences in 2021, before the trial this year (Image: Newsquest)

Now, Warrington Conservatives have taken a swipe at the council leader's claims that the prosecution was brought forward on a political basis.

A spokesperson for the town's Tories said: "Cllr Bowden has been found not guilty of electoral fraud and it’s important that this is recognised.

"It was the Crown Prosecution Service that took this case to court after concerns from the general public in Warrington, and we all appreciate that the upholding of electoral law is the lynchpin of our democracy.

"To be clear, the complaints to Cheshire Police were not made by a political party, hence we strongly disagree with Cllr Bowden’s comments in his statement that this was politically motivated."

The CPS says it considered the investigation into Cllr Bowden very carefully (Image: Newsquest)

The Tories added: "Elected members must be prepared to stand up to the toughest scrutiny and sometimes they will be challenged as has happened here.

"The council leader and his deputy, Cllr Mitchell, have had this legal case looming over their heads for almost two years now. 

"They must fully focus on the people of Warrington and ensure that their best interests are being served by their administration."