Christopher Jefferies: So So Sorry

"The media attention and vilification to which Christopher Jefferies was subjected during the Joanna Yeates murder investigation was unprecedented, and I understand how difficult it must have been for him," he said. "It was a complex investigation, carried out under the most intense public scrutiny and the investigating officer had to pursue every reasonable line of inquiry.
"Although I was not chief constable then, I stand by the decision taken at the time to arrest and interview Christopher Jefferies.
"Nevertheless I am happy to accede to his request that we should make it clear that he was completely exonerated in this investigation.
"This is an unusual step to take but these were exceptional circumstances. I had a private meeting with Mr Jefferies on Friday and hope to use his experience to inform our serious crime investigations in the future."

From a letter to Chris Jefferies from Nick Gargan, chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police.

Jefferies was arrested in Jauary 2011 over the murder of Joanna Yeates - cue an orgy of disgusting smears and speculation in the media, which insinuated he was gay and - thus? - a "sexual pervert".
He won damages from eight newspapers, and The Mirror and The Sun were fined for contempt of court.
Chief constable Gargan also wrote; "While it is not normal practice to make such a public statement, in the circumstances of the exceptional media attention your arrest attracted, I acknowledge we should have considered this and I am very sorry for the suffering you experienced as a result."
He forgets to mention that the police were feeding "information" about Jefferies to the press.