FORMER Enfield councillor Clive Morrison has spoken of his living nightmare after winning his appeal against a conviction for obstructing the police and disorderly conduct.

At the end of the four-day hearing, Judge Peter Latham told Wood Green Crown Court that Mr Morrison has "no case to answer on either of the charges".

Mr Morrison, 42, of Monmouth Road, Edmonton, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 by Enfield Magistrates last December after an incident in May 2001 at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre.

It was claimed he became abusive after being asked to step over a cordon line which had been put in place while police investigated a double stabbing.

Speaking exclusively to the Independent, Mr Morrison, who has always maintained his innocence, this week re-lived his 14-month fight to clear his name.

He said: "I was always innocent and I am glad it's all over. I am disappointed at the pain that has been inflicted on me but my concern now is for the youngsters in the area."

At the time of the incident, Mr Morrison, who was ostracised by the council's Labour Group, was a member Enfield Police Consultative Group, the Racial Incidents Action Group and the council's social inclusion scrutiny panel.

He now wants to devote his time to working with the borough's youngsters with the help of the police.

Mr Morrison said: "I am not holding it against the Met. I hope the police have learned some lessons from this. I want to work with them.

"There is a bad apple in every bunch but I cannot cast them all as the same."

Mr Morrison has previously organised numerous events and activities for youngsters and hopes that with police co-operation they can resume in the near future.

During the appeal hearing, an officer at the scene of the incident contradicted the evidence of his colleague.

Sgt Jim Collin of Edmonton police admitted that he disagreed with Sgt Peter Powers that there had been a struggle as Mr Morrison was led away from the area where officers were investigating a stabbing.

The police had previously argued that Mr Morrison swore and pushed a police officer as he tried to get through the cordon.

Patrick Roche, defending Mr Morrison, said that his client was shouting out in pain and had not crossed the cordon, which was deemed unlawful because the police had not obtained a warrant to construct it.

Ffyon Reilly, prosecuting, conceded that the police had no power to establish a cordon and obstruct the public right of way.

Mr Morrison was awarded £58.80 travel expenses by the judge and his solicitor, Darren White, said this week that they were considering taking legal action against the police.

July 10, 2002 17:00