McGimpsey cleared of drugs link

TOP golfer Garth McGimpsey, who has been cleared of any link to a drugs seizure, claimed yesterday he may have been the victim of a set-up.

He was arrested in May when Customs officers searched his home in Bangor, Co Down, and found £60,000 of cocaine in a parcel which had just arrived from Amsterdam.

McGimpsey, aged 49, the non-playing captain of the British and Irish Walker Cup team, has been freed from bail and told he is no longer part of the investigation.

Nobody has been charged in connection with the find, but McGimpsey, who protested his innocence from the moment he was detained, fears the affair could have been an attempt to frame him.

He said: "A stain on my character has been removed, but it might never disappear until we find out who exactly was responsible for this, and why."

McGimpsey was questioned a number of times, but the finger of suspicion has been lifted. A Customs and Excise spokesman confirmed: "He has been released from bail. He has not been charged."

He was forced to postpone a visit to Buckingham Palace to be awarded the MBE for his services to sport because of the inquiry. New arrangements are now being made.

He is also due to leave for America later this month as part of preparations for the defence of the Walker Cup in Chicago next year.

McGimpsey, a member of the R&A at St Andrews, who works as an agent for several leading golf sportswear firms, was capped 226 times for Ireland and won 14 championships, including the British Amateur in 1985.

A father of three, he is separated and due to divorce later this year.

McGimpsey spoke of his devastation at his arrest on May 13, and how his life had effectively been put on hold.

He said: "Customs and Excise have informed me that I am no longer part of their investigation, which is ongoing, and I'm hugely relieved.

"The last 10 weeks have been horrendous for my close family, particularly my mother. Even though I protested my innocence from the very outset, it's as if I've been to hell and back. I have been the subject of all sorts of rumour, gossip and innuendo.

"There were times when I was in the depths of despair, chiefly because I was unable to make any public statement while I was under investigation.

Was I set up in some way? Hopefully at some stage in the future, Customs and Excise will be able to give me a full explanation, because I want closure on this matter."