Mayor says he is "exonerated" after council closes investigation into allegations of naked pictures on computer

The elected mayor for Middlesbrough said he has been “exonerated” of any wrongdoing following the closure of an external investigation into claims of a naked picture on his computer.

On his “Tees Issues” page on Facebook, Andy Preston said: “After a colossal waste of time and money – stretching back to October 2020 and probably costing £100,000 in time and money – an independent law firm found absolutely no evidence to suggest I even knew about an alleged but not reported image of a naked woman on my office computer.

“In fact the report has confirmed I wasn’t even in the building on the morning the image was allegedly seen – and I hadn’t been since the previous day.

“I’m delighted the truth has come out – but I can’t pretend it hasn’t been incredibly stressful and hurtful for me and my family seeing increasingly wild allegations in the local and national media.”

Mr Preston said the matter began in October 2020 when a councillor claimed to have received an anonymous letter suggesting inappropriate material on his computer.

He claimed that the matter was closed after an internal investigation, only to be reopened after Andy McDonald MP, whom he strongly criticised, lodged a formal complaint.

Local Government Lawyer has been told that the costsiof the external investigation were under £50,000. 

Middlesbrough Council said it would not be publishing the report. 

A spokesman for the local authority said: “This matter has now been concluded and the parties involved have been informed of the outcome.

“It would be inappropriate to make any further comment in relation to the process or opinions expressed by others.”

Mr McDonald said he maintained his view that Mr Preston was “unfit for public office”.