Top solicitor is cleared over Leeds footballers' trial

Peter McCormick, senior partner of Leeds firm McCormicks, and Manchester firm Freeman & Co, were cleared last week of alleged conflicts of interest relating to the trial of Leeds footballers Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate.

Mr McCormick was alleged to have been acting for the pair - in the initial stages of the case - while a director of Leeds United, which the National Civil Rights Movement said was a conflict.

He was also accused of encouraging their teammate Michael Duberry to lie in court.

The panel solicitor who investigated the allegations concluded that there was no adequate evidence to suggest that Mr McCormick had committed misconduct.

The Law Society's adjudication panel - which considers whether complaints should be taken further - agreed.

An identical finding was made in relation to Freeman & Co, which acted for Woodgate.

It was accused of a conflict because it acted initially for another player who had potentially important information for the prosecution.

Jeremy Fleming