UNDER-FIRE chief constable Richard Brunstrom yesterday defended the failed prosecution of a former senior policeman - estimated to have cost tax payers more than £150,000. North Wales Police refused to reveal the exact cost of the investigation and whether it would continue after the case against ex-chief superintendent Peter Bolton collapsed on Tuesday. The Crown Prosecution Service also defended its actions. Mr Bolton, 51, of Abergele, went on trial at Chester Crown Court on Monday charged with misconduct in public office amid allegations he leaked a report about bullying to a journalist, an accusation Mr Bolton denied. The case collapsed after Authority clerk Kelvin Dent revealed under cross examination that more people had an opportunity to leak the report than was first thought. In a statement yesterday, Mr Brunstrom said: "The leak was cynical, malevolent and a serious criminal offence. "The purpose of the investigation was and is to identify the culprit and to protect the integrity of North Wales police and its authority. "The force has acted not as an attack against the press or any individual, but in the interests of the public. It will continue to deal with the matter on that basis. Further comment is not appropriate at this stage." The force refused to reveal whether the investigation would continue. Clwyd North West MP and barrister Gareth Thomas branded the case against Mr Bolton, "a shambolic waste of public money and smacks of a malicious prosecution". Mr Thomas is writing to Mr Brunstrom - demanding he reveal the costs - and to the director of public Prosecutions asking why the case went ahead. Elfyn Llwyd, MP, leader of Plaid Cymru in the Commons, said police should now end the so called "mole hunt". A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "The prosecution's main evidence was to be expert handwriting testimony. "This led us to believe only a small number of people could have had access to the document and photocopier and suggested the handwriting was that of Mr Bolton. " However, after cross-examination of Mr Dent, it became apparent that the prosecution would no longer be able to say the envelope could have been written by a limited number of people," said the spokesman. "The judge made no criticism of the CPS for bringing the case and costs were awarded to the defence from central funds." | 
