FORMER Welsh secretary Alun Cairns has been cleared of breaching the ministerial code over his links to a Conservative candidate accused of sabotaging a rape trial.

Accusations the Vale of Glamorgan MP, who quit as Welsh secretary over his links to Ross England, a Conservative candidate accused of sabotaging a rape trial, have not been upheld.

A Cabinet Office investigation said it was "unlikely" that Alun Cairns would not have been told anything about former staff member Mr England's role in the collapsed trial.

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However, the report added: "But all those involved state that they had not informed Mr Cairns of Mr England's role, and there is no direct evidence to contradict this.

"On that basis, I do not find that the evidence upholds the allegations of a breach of the ministerial code."