Former police chief Sir Norman Bettison will not be prosecuted for misconduct in a public office over the Hillsborough disaster.
Four charges against him were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Tuesday "following a review of the evidence".
They related to the former South Yorkshire Police chief inspector telling alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough, in which 96 people died, and the culpability of fans.
Sir Norman was at the Sheffield Wednesday stadium on April 15 1989, the day of the disaster, but was off duty – attending the FA Cup semi-final as a spectator.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, he was tasked with finding material for police lawyers to present to the public inquiry, led by Lord Justice Taylor.
He later applied for the job of chief constable in Merseyside – an appointment that caused controversy after it emerged he had not mentioned his work on Hillsborough in the application form.
Explaining the decision to stop criminal proceedings against him, CPS director of legal services Sue Hemming said there had been "significant developments which have affected the available evidence" since he was charged in June 2017.
Two witnesses had changed their evidence and a third had died, she added.
"Our latest review of the evidence has concluded the collective impact of these developments means there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction," Ms Hemming said.
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"I appreciate this news will be disappointing for the families and the CPS will meet with them in person to explain the decision."
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