The High Court has quashed warrants used by police to search Elliot Lawless’ home in December, according to the developer in a statement issued to EG.
Elliot Group said that Merseyside Police has agreed to settle the claim for judicial review, made to the High Court by Lawless last month, as well as cover the associated costs.
However, as part of the consent order Lawless has agreed for the police to retain copies of exhibits seized when the warrants were executed, according to Merseyside Police.
Lawless was arrested in December last year on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, bribery, and corruption.
Police had seized £337,342 and just over €10,442 (£9,009) in cash at the time of the raid on the Liverpool-based developer’s home.
Merseyside Police has said it will continue its investigation and intends to retain the cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A statement from Merseyside Police disclosed that following an application for judicial review, the force “sought independent legal advice, which concluded that there were technical difficulties in relation to three warrants executed at Beetham Plaza on 18 December”.
It said: “The force has consented to quashing the warrants carried out at Beetham Plaza, as a result the judicial review proceedings have been concluded by consent.”
Lawless said he is working with his legal team to secure the return of the seized cash.
He said: “I am very pleased that the police quickly agreed to settle these proceedings. I have consistently denied any wrongdoing and the allegations made are baseless. [The] agreed order is another major step towards bringing the investigation to a conclusion.”
Following his arrest, Lawless, whose development company has 20 developments across Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester with a £1bn gross development pipeline, had to place three schemes across Manchester and Liverpool into administration in March this year.
Administrators Paul Cooper and David Rubin of David Rubin & Partners have been brought in to place the Aura, Infinity and Residence schemes into administration.
Lawless said: “I shall continue to work with the administrators to see how we can secure best value for our investors.
“I am now going to get back to work, bringing jobs and investment to Liverpool and the wider North West. I have a number of schemes in the pipeline and have instructed my architects and planning consultants to go full speed on these.
“I am keen to begin working with Liverpool Council again to develop schemes that will add value to the city and take it forward economically and physically.”
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