LIVERPOOL Council leader Warren Bradley last night spoke of his relief at being cleared of bullying and bringing his office into disrepute, after a 16-month ethical standards investigation.

The Standards Board for England found that Cllr Bradley’s conduct in the wake of the Mathew Street Festival “occasionally suggested lack of good judgment”.

The board also highlighted that his conduct “may have damaged his personal reputation”, but concluded that he had not acted maliciously and that no further action should be taken.

Last night, Cllr Bradley said he now wanted to draw a line under the episode and appealed for unity while the city meets the challenges of the recession.

But Labour opposition leader Joe Anderson claimed Cllr Bradley had been “lucky to escape censure by the skin of his teeth” and the city deserved an apology.

The investigation was launched in December, 2007, into allegations Cllr Bradley and ex-council leader Mike Storey had secretly met former city events manager Lee Forde, blamed for the cancellation of the August, 2007, Mathew Street festival to “get information” on former Culture Company chief executive Jason Harborow.

The investigation into Cllr Storey has already concluded no action should be taken against him.

The scope of the investigation was later widened to include claims Cllr Bradley had bullied Mr Harborow.

In November, Cllr Bradley was sent a draft conclusion of the Standards Board report.

It is understood lawyers acting on his behalf have spent the last three months “discussing” the final outcome with investigators.

“The people of Liverpool will want to know the cost of any legal advice for Cllr Bradley, funded by the council, in relation to this matter,” said Cllr Anderson.

In reaching its conclusion, the board said “Cllr Bradley’s conduct occasionally suggested lack of good judgment, and that contributed to Jason Harborow feeling undermined in his role.

“However, in considering whether Cllr Bradley’s conduct brought his office or authority into disrepute, the ethical standards officer has recognised the pressure Cllr Bradley was under to deliver such a high- profile event as Capital of Culture, and that the deterioration of his relationship with Jason Harborow was played out in the most public of arenas.