Norman Bettison will not face criminal charges over the Hillsborough disaster.
The former police chief had been charged with four counts of misconduct in a public office for statements made in the aftermath of the 1989 tragedy.
But the Crown Prosecution Service ruled on Tuesday that Bettison’s conduct as an officer in the South Yorkshire force will not be subject to prosecution.
Bettison, who later held office as Merseyside Police’s chief constable, applied for the charges to be dismissed in a hearing at Preston Crown Court.
The CPS told judge Sir Peter Openshaw that all charges were being withdrawn.
Sue Hemming, CPS Director of Legal Services, said: “The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuing review.
“Since the original decision to charge Norman Bettison in June 2017 there have been a number of significant developments which have affected the available evidence.
“These include changes in the evidence of two witnesses and the death of a third witness.
“Our latest review of the evidence has concluded the collective impact of these developments means there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
“I appreciate this news will be disappointing for the families and the CPS will meet with them in person to explain the decision.
“I would remind all concerned that although criminal proceedings are no longer active against Norman Bettison, there are five other defendants facing charges relating to Hillsborough and each has the right to a fair trial.
“It is therefore extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice those proceedings.”
The Hillsborough Family Support Group, which represents a large number of the 96 Liverpool fans who died, expressed disappointment at Tuesday’s ruling.
“It is our view that the wrong charge was brought in the first place and we will be using the review process to argue this point strongly,” said HFSG chairperson Margaret Aspinall.
“We know how our supporters will feel about this decision and, of course, we all share all of those feelings.”