Malik vows to sue

Shahid Malik spoke after a Police Complaints Authority investigation into the Labour National Executive Committee member's arrest in Daneshouse on June 25, 2001.

The only action to be taken will be the officer involved being disciplined for failing to wear his shoulder numbers.

Mr Malik intends to continue with his plans for civil action against the officers he claimed assaulted him.

He said: "I'm shocked and dismayed by the lack of rigour and impartiality demonstrated by the Police Complaints Authority.

"All I asked for was an apology and for the officers responsible to be made accountable. Because of the failure of Lancashire Police and the PCA, I'll have to resort to civil proceedings."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "An investigation has been conducted under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.

"The Crown Prosecution Service has considered the matter. The PCA is satisfied that a thorough investigation has taken place.

"The CPA has notified the constabulary of the recommended action and the constabulary will now deal with recommendations through internal proceedings."

It was announced in January this year that no officers would face criminal charges over an allegation they assaulted the son of Burnley's former mayor.

Lancashire Police confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service had cleared the officers of any criminal wrong-doing relating to a formal complaint made by Mr Malik.

Mr Malik, a former representative of the Commission for Racial Equality, was treated in hospital for a cut to the head after the incident, during which police tried to deal with a gathering of youths.

Mr Malik was arrested after the incident, but cleared of any wrong-doing in September, 2001.

Police started their investigation into Mr Malik's claims after he was exonerated and made a formal complaint in August, 2001. The police investigation was completed in July 2002 and a file sent to the CPS.