Police drop George Best case

Police in the UK are to take no further action against former footballer George Best over allegations of indecently assaulting a young girl and hitting a woman, it emerged today.

The 59-year-old former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star spent more than nine hours at a police station in Staines, Surrey, last month where he was questioned over the claims.

He was released on bail and had been due to return to the station tomorrow but officers have since dropped the investigation after the claims were examined.

Best was arrested after voluntarily going to the police station following newspaper reports that he had allegedly punched 34-year-old Vicky Pope outside the home of his ex-lover, Gina Devivo, in Ewell, Surrey.

It later emerged that he had also been questioned over an alleged indecent assault on a girl under 13.

Best had vehemently denied both allegations.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said today: “Following a full investigation by Surrey Police, and after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, there will be no further action taken in respect of a 59-year-old man due to answer bail at a Surrey Police Station on July 6.

“He was arrested on June 9 in relation to an allegation of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a 34-year-old woman in the Epsom and Ewell area in June and an allegation of sexual assault concerning a girl under the age of 13 also in the Epsom and Ewell area in May.

“Police bail in regard of these matters has now been cancelled.”

Best’s agent Phil Hughes said today that he would not be commenting on the developments as legal advice was being sought.

Last month, after the allegation regarding the girl emerged, Mr Hughes described the suggestion as “outrageous” and indicated that Best was considering suing whoever was behind it.