Police drop investigation into Reform councillors

The police have ended an investigation into claims of election expenses overspending by election agent Rob Sheridan and councillors Neil Stevens and Tony Stevens

A police investigation into allegations against Reform councillors and their election agent of overspending on election expenses has been dropped.

Devon County Council members Neil Stevens, his brother Tony Stevens and their agent Rob Sheridan all faced claims of overspending in the May elections.

The police launched an investigation in June after another Reform councillor, Ed Hill, reported his concerns to the authorities.

Devon and Cornwall Police said no further action would be taken after the Stevens brothers and Mr Sheridan successfully took a civil case to the High Court on Tuesday where Justice Martin Spencer decided any mistakes made were not "in bad faith".

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "As a result of the judgement, the individuals in question will face no further police action."

Reacting to the police decision, Neil Stevens said he was "greatly relieved".

He said: "These last few months have been horrific for myself and my family and I just want to get on on and be, as I was before, a good councillor."

The court heard on Tuesday issues included confusion over who should pay for podcasts, over which expenses for election leaflets needed to be declared and over who the election agent was for the Stevens brothers.

Hill was later expelled from Reform UK over a separate issue.

The party now has 16 seats on Devon County Council with the Liberal Democrats as the ruling party.