Police investigation into former West Norfolk and Downham Market councillor Shimit Patel ends due to lack of evidence

A police investigation into the conduct of a former borough councillor has come to a close due to a lack of evidence.

Shimit Patel, who served on West Norfolk Council from 2019 until May this year, was the subject of a standards hearing in early 2022. However, this was dramatically adjourned after police confirmed they were looking into the matter.

During the hearings, frequent references were made to the “substandard” manner in which councillors had looked into the matter – with the original panel chairman, Simon Nash, standing down.

Now, a year and a half later, the police investigation has concluded.

A spokesperson said: “Norfolk Police received a report of misconduct in January 2022 in relation to an incident involving a Lynn borough councillor.

“Officers carried out a thorough investigation which ended in June 2023. Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, no further action was taken due to insufficient evidence.”

West Norfolk Council paused its investigation last year while police looked into the case. As Mr Patel is no longer a borough councillor, the complaints process cannot be resumed as the Councillor Code of Conduct only applies to current councillors.

He formally sat on the Downham Old Town seat.

In February 2022, another councillor – Mike Howland – was told to undergo ethics training by another panel after he directed an offensive expletive at Mr Patel.

He called him a “sh*tface” in a text message, although councillors were satisfied there were no racial connotations involved.