Corruption case against Bicknell dropped

Director of  Public Prosecutions, Paula Llewellyn, withdrew bribery charges against businessman David Bruce Bicknell when he appeared in court on Thursday.

However, the DPP has decided to pursue corruption charges against West Portland Member of  Parliament, Daryl Vaz.

Lawyers for Bicknell wrote to the DPP, requesting that she review the case against him in light of  the testimony of  Sergeant Jubert Llewellyn who accused him of  bribery two years ago

Vaz's attorneys had also made a similar application.

But in giving her reasons to throw out the case against Mr Bicknell, the DPP said based on the testimony of  Llewellyn at the corruption trial of  Bicknell and Senior Superintendent James Forbes, she would have had a difficult task mounting a successful case against the businessman.

Llewellyn testified that he was unsure if Bicknell was trying to bribe him.

In the case of  Vaz, the DPP argued that despite the fact that he's charged in the same matter, his case has to be tried on its own merit.

Vaz is to return to court on Friday when a mention date will be set.