The gangster Paul Massey was known as the “Mr Big” of Salford Chris Bull/AlamyA former associate of the gangster Paul Massey has claimed that police officers received bribes “left, right and centre”, amid calls for an independent inquiry into corruption claims. This follows revelations in The Times that a £3.5 million inquiry connected to Massey, who was known as the “Mr Big” of Salford before his murder two years ago, collapsed after accusations of police corruption. The failure of Greater Manchester police to investigate the allegations was a factor in prosecutors’ decision not to proceed with charges over Operation Holly, a five-year inquiry into money laundering, fraud and tax offences. The Times revealed allegations about Greater Manchester police yesterdayIt centred on 21st Security Ltd, a company for which Massey, 55, was a consultant. Detectives believed that he was a “shadow director” for 21st Security and that…

Source: The Times December 20, 2017 00:05 UTC