The CPS said it had a “duty to stop the case” after “new material that came to light”.
Those developments meant there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”, and the CPS confirmed that it has “explained [this decision] to all parties”.
People who allege they are victims of sexual offences receive lifelong anonymity.
It is a criminal offence to publish a complainant's identity or any information that might lead to the complainant being identified.
Yesterday’s announcement comes after GMP confirmed back in January 2022 that “a man in his 20s” had been arrested on suspicion of rape, assault, and a threat to kill after allegations were made a woman on social media.
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The controlling and coercive behaviour related to a period between November 2018 and October 2022, where Greenwood was alleged to have made threatening and derogatory comments towards the complainant, as well as accessing and monitoring her social media accounts, while the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was from December 2021.
The attempted rape was alleged to have happened in October 2021.
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Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, said in a statement yesterday that the police force felt it was “only fair” that it shares the news of all charges against Greenwood been dropped “given the significant media coverage of this case”.
GMP said the decision to drop the charges had “not been taken lightly”, and that it has “decided not to comment on it in any further detail”, despite the media and public’s “interest” in the case.
Criminal proceedings against a 21-year-old man in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022 have, today (Thursday 2 February 2023), been discontinued by the CPS.
Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, said:… (1/7) pic.twitter.com/VOp9n527Kw
Greenwood has now spoken out following the decision.
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The footballer said in a short statement issued yesterday: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.”
Once the news of the allegations initially broke on social media back in early 2022, and GMP confirmed the arrest, Manchester United said in a statement released at the time that Greenwood would not return to training or play matches “until further notice”.
Now, following yesterday’s announcement, the club said it had “noted” the CPS’s decision.
United added in a statement that: “The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps [and] we will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”
Many will also remember that Nike also notably suspended its sponsorship relationship with Greenwood, with the brand saying at the time that it was “deeply concerned” about the allegations, and EA too removed Greenwood from active squads on its FIFA games.
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Both companies are yet to address the decision.
/ Credit: Manchester United
Following the announcement of the CPS’s decision yesterday, GMP and CS Kerr did however appeal to people who felt they were, or might have been, a victim, and reiterated the police force’s “commitment” to investigating “allegations of violence against women and girls”.
CS Kerr continued: “An ever-increasing number of officers are receiving specialist training and the force is more consistently utilising tools, available via the criminal justice system, to keep people safe and care for victims.
“If you feel you are or might be a victim, please don’t let this case put you off asking for help.”
Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centres in Greater Manchester
St. Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre Manchester – Provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis – A confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
Survivors Manchester – Provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
News
All Greater Manchester boroughs to have 24-7 night buses from next month as new services launch
Emily Sergeant
Extra night buses, new routes, and more frequent bus services are being rolled out across the Bee Network at the end of this month.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy, and now plans to introduce these from September onwards have been confirmed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford will all get a 24-hour bus service by next month, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that once the new services have launched, it will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
Some of the other changes set to be introduced from next month include a selection of brand-new bus services, and more frequent buses during the day and at the weekends.
All Greater Manchester boroughs will have 24-7 night buses from next month / Credit: TfGM
There will also be better connections overall to key employment and leisure destinations like Manchester Airport, Trafford Centre, MediaCity, Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton, Kingsway Business Park, and Logistics North.
“The Bee Network belongs to the people of Greater Manchester and it needs to work for every community,” explained Mayor Bev Craig.
“As we build it, we’re listening and responding to what residents want with the biggest set of improvements we’ve ever made in one go.
🚌 More improvements are on the way across the #BeeNetwork.
36 service changes will benefit around 740,000 people across Greater Manchester, helping more communities access reliable, convenient public transport.
“We’re bringing night buses to every borough, launching new routes and ensuring buses run more often in the mornings, evenings and weekends. In doing so, we’re making it easier than ever for people to get around the city region by bus, but we’re also supporting our businesses, whose staff and customers need a reliable and safe way to reach them.
“Almost three quarters of a million people live within walking distance of a bus route we’re improving over the next few months, and we’ll continue improving connections for even more communities based on the feedback we get.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd February 2023 
