Northern Ireland

Brother of Eurovision star Dana complains over 'failure' to prosecute witnesses against him following acquittal

John Brown and sister Dana talk to the Irish News.Picture by Huigh Russell.
John Brown and sister Dana talk to the Irish News.Picture by Huigh Russell. John Brown and sister Dana talk to the Irish News.Picture by Huigh Russell.

THE brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana has made an official complaint over the authorities' alleged `failure' to prosecute the witnesses against him seven years after his acquittal on historic sex abuse charges.

John Brown, whose sister is a former MEP and Irish presidential candidate, believes he was subject of a "witch hunt" by the Metropolitan Police (Met) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to secure `celebrity' prosecutions.

He was unanimously acquitted of child sex abuse charges in 2014.

The siblings have also successfully fought associated claims Dana had covered up child abuse for decades.

In 2017, Sir Cliff Richard and X Factor judge Louis Walsh offered Mr Brown support when he first threatened legal action against police and the media for their handling of sex abuse allegations.

In April a letter of claim was served by Mr Brown at the High Court in London against Scotland Yard and prosecutors for up to £5 million in damages in a landmark case.

The father-of-three initiated the proceedings for alleged malicious prosecution and misfeasance in a public office.

The latest official complaint was made to Cressida Dick, the Met and the CPS over their `failure' to prosecute witnesses for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law said it follows a complaint from Mr Brown that resulted in police advising him that they were recommending up to seven prosecution witnesses be charged.

He said the failure to prosecute amounted to a "cover up".

The firm's latest letter to Ms Dick stated "the failure to engage serves only to compound the pre-existing allegation of `cover up' on previous decisions taken at the highest level not to pursue prosecution witnesses who committed perjury and perverted the course of justice or police officers who pursued what amounted to a `witch hunt'".

Mr Winters said his client is pursuing legal action against MET Police and the CPS for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office.

"Police have failed in their duty, deliberately choosing not to pursue basic lines of inquiry in the first place and then covering up by not prosecuting witnesses who lied under oath, committed perjury and perverted the course of justice."

A CPS spokesman said: "We cannot comment given the ongoing proceedings against the CPS."

There was no response from the Met.