Solicitor cleared of corrupt dealings in 1990s Co-op scandal

A former partner at City firm DLA has been cleared of involvement in the bribery scandal at the Co-operative Wholesale Society during the 1990s.

Last week, two former agents of the Co-op - Allan Arthur Green and David Joseph Chambers - were convicted of corruptly accepting1 million each as an inducement to favour a hostile takeover bid byHobson Ltd in 1995.

Paul Thomas - a former partner at DLA who acted for Hobson - was prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office for allegedly aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring Mr Green to commit his offence.

He was acquitted by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week.

In relation to an outstanding charge of stealing 2.4 million against former Hobson Ltd director Andrew Regan, the jury has been discharged and Mr Regan will face a retrial next January.

Reporting restrictions apply.

Peter Quinn, the partner at Liverpool firm Quinn Melville who acted for Mr Thomas, said: 'My client is extremely relieved at the outcome.'

Jeremy Fleming