Thaksin ex-wife cleared of fraud

24 August 2011 Last updated at 08:12 GMT Ms Pojaman is widely thought to have played a role in forming the governing Pheu Thai party The ex-wife of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been acquitted of tax evasion on appeal.

Pojaman na Pombejra had been facing a three-year jail term in connection with the sale of companies by her then-husband Mr Thaksin.

But the Bangkok Appeals Court found that there was insufficient evidence to support a 2008 lower court ruling.

It is the first significant court ruling since Mr Thaksin's sister became prime minister earlier this month.

Ms Pojaman was found guilty of evading tax of 546m baht ($16.3m; £9.9m) in a 1997 shares transfer in the family telecoms business.

'Close relationship'

The BBC's Guy De Launey in Bangkok says the court's dismissal of the tax evasion case may be seen as vindication for the supporters of Mr Thaksin.

They have always insisted that the charges against the former prime minister and his family were politically motivated.

Ms Pojaman is a significant figure in Thailand; she is widely thought to have played a role in forming the governing Pheu Thai party, and choosing the members of the cabinet, our correspondent says.

Despite her divorce from Mr Thaksin three years ago, many observers believe the couple still have a close relationship.

Mr Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006, and lives abroad to avoid a two-year jail sentence for abuse of power.

His youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, came to power earlier this month but Mr Thaksin is widely seen as the governing party's de facto leader.

However, Mr Thaksin has said he will not meddle in the government of his sister but would advise her when needed.

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Clegg critic quits in fraud probe

18 April 2011 Last updated at 12:39 GMT Warren Bradley is the former leader of Liverpool City Council A senior Lib Dem councillor who urged Nick Clegg to end the coalition has stepped down as the party's leader on Liverpool City Council over fraud allegations.

Warren Bradley denies a claim he put his teenage son forward for nomination as a candidate without his knowledge.

It is understood a Labour councillor reported the matter to police. The Lib Dems have launched an internal probe.

Mr Bradley last week warned the Lib Dems face electoral oblivion.

He said the party could "disappear into the annals of history" in 5 May's English local elections if Mr Clegg did not pull out of the party's coalition with the Conservatives at Westminster.

'Not political'

Mr Bradley's resignation comes amid controversy over whether his 18-year-old son Daniel was properly nominated to stand as a candidate in Liverpool's Central Ward.

The allegation is that Warren Bradley falsely witnessed the nomination papers which were not in fact signed by his son.

In an interview with the Liverpool Daily Post, Daniel Bradley said: "I went in to see who signed for me. I did not put my name down. But I was told it was too late [to withdraw]. I went to have a look at the nomination paper and it was not my signature. I am not political at all."

But in an e-mail to Lib Dem councillors in Liverpool, Mr Bradley responded: "I have today been accused by the media of putting my son's name forward to stand for election, without his knowledge, and then to underline my intention I spoke to the press as if to reaffirm the fraud...

"I cannot say too much at this stage for obvious reasons, but to inform you I totally deny this allegation and am seeking legal advice to that end."

'Indefensible'

A Lib Dem spokesman said: "We can confirm that Warren Bradley 's resignation has been accepted with immediate effect.

"The party takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously and has launched an internal inquiry. We are also cooperating with all other relevant authorities.

"Flo Clucas will take up the role of acting leader until a leadership election can take place."

Mr Bradley's resignation comes ahead of local elections across much of England on 5 May.

In comments to Mr Clegg, leaked to the BBC last week, Mr Bradley warned that possible defeats could set the party back 40 years in Liverpool and said local councillors were "tired of defending the indefensible".

"The boil is about to come to a head and burst (probably on election night) when we lose some very well respected and experienced colleagues from Liverpool City Council."

The Lib Dems lost control of Liverpool City Council to Labour last year.

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