Prosecutors consider case against ex-Rotherham council chief Ged Fitzgerald

Lancashire Constabulary has passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following a year-long investigation into the former Lancashire County Council chief executive, two other officers and a business leader.

Mr Fitzgerald (pictured), who was chief executive at Rotherham Borough Council from 2001 to 2003, was arrested in May 2017 and suspended from his then-job as chief executive of the Liverpool authority four months later.

He formally stepped down from the role in May.

The investigation relates to alleged financial irregularities in connection with a £5 million contract Lancashire Council \_— where Mr Fitzgerald served from 2008-2011 — had with BT. 

The council referred the matter to the police in 2013.

Mr Fitzgerald was arrested last year on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and witness intimidation.

County council leader Cllr Geoff Driver, the county council’s former chief executive Phil Halsall and the ex-chief of Liverpool Direct and Lancashire joint venture One Direct, David McElhinney, were all arrested in relation to the same alleged offences.

Mr Fitzgerald was criticised last year when investigators revealed he had refused to take part in an inquiry into former Rotherham council officers conduct during the Jay report years.

A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: “In September 2013 Lancashire County Council referred to Lancashire Constabulary some allegations of financial irregularity. 

“An investigation was launched and following a complex and lengthy enquiry a file of evidence has now been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration. 

“The investigative bail period has now been suspended as a result of the file being submitted.”