ONE of the most powerful and influential civil servants in the North West is to have his knuckles rapped by police over the alleged sending of offensive text messages.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency, is to be spoken to by officers from Greater Manchester Police.

Mr Broomhead will face no charges nor a prosecution, but instead will be warned by officers that text messages he is alleged to have sent in late 2006 could be perceived as offensive.

In January, 2007, Mr Broom- head, who earns around £180,000, was forced to issue an apology for forwarding a racist text message, and was later given a formal written warning by the NWDA.

The Daily Post can reveal that, for the past few weeks, Greater Manchester Police have been investigating allegations against Mr Broomhead under the Telecommunications Act, which prohibits the sending of messages that are “grossly offensive, or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character”.

It is understood Mr Broomhead could have faced prosecution over the allegations but because it would only have been dealt with at Magistrates Court (as opposed to more serious offences, which can also be dealt with at Crown Court), charges would have to be brought within six months.

The complaint to GMP was made by executive car company director Mike Colwell, who used to supply driving services to the agency.

It was a former driver of Mr Colwell’s firm that received the racist text on a company mobile telephone, which was handed over to police.

Last night, Mr Colwell said he had been informed by police that three potentially offensive texts had been found.

Mr Broomhead declined to comment, but a source close to the chief executive said he had hoped to put the matter behind him.

The source said: “Clearly it was a mistake on his part, Steven apologised and was dealt with by the agency and had hoped it was the end of the matter.

“He is surprised that the police are interested in this.”

The apology which Mr Broomhead released after the racist text last year read: “I received an inappropriate text message to my mobile phone.

“Without thinking, I forwarded the message on to the mobile phone of an individual outside the NWDA.

“Forwarding this message was an error of judgment on my part, and is something that I deeply regret.

“It was inappropriate and thoughtless, and does not reflect my personal opinions in any way.

“There was no intention on my part to cause offence and I would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence I may have caused.”

Last night, a spokesman for the NWDA said: “The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is aware that a complaint has been lodged with Greater Manchester Police relating to a text message sent by Steven Broomhead in late 2006.

“This issue was the subject of a complaint to the NWDA made in December, 2006, and the circumstances surrounding this complaint were fully investigated.

“The complaint was upheld and appropriate action was taken at that time.

“Greater Manchester Police have advised that no further action will be taken with regards to this complaint and the agency regards this matter as closed.”

Last night, a spokesman for GMP said: “GMP can confirm that officers will be speaking to a man regarding an allegation about the circulation of offensive text messages, sent in late 2006.

“The man will not face any criminal prosecution but will be advised that somebody had complained about the text messages, and that they could be perceived as offensive.”

davidbartlett