THE partners of a Burnley law firm have issued a statement pledging support for solicitor Basil Dearing who has been charged with money laundering offences and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Dearing, 60, a senior partner at SFN in Red Lion Street, was charged in connection with alleged money laundering money for multi-million pound drug gang The Firm.

The lawyer, of Lower Chapel Lane, Grindleton, near Clitheroe, public relations officer for the Burnley and Pendle Law Society in the 1990s and a former director of Burnley FC, was charged after answering his bail on Tuesday.

In a statement, Stuart Burn, practice manager at SFN said: "The partners of SFN Solicitors express extreme surprise that police have taken the decision to charge Basil Dearing following his detailed explanation of the property transactions under investigation over the last nine months.

"Basil Dearing has been a well-respected solicitor in Burnley for many years and is known as a man of immense integrity. We are confident that in due course he will be able to persuade a jury of his innocence.

"The partners and staff are extremely concerned for him and his family who have had to deal with this unresolved matter for such a long time.

"We fully anticipate that in due course he will succeed in clearing his name and defending his actions entirely."

Burnley and Pendle Law Society also pledged its support in a statement. It read: "We wish to confirm our ongoing support for Basil Dearing who for many years has been highly respected and well known in the community. We trust that in the face of the criminal charge which has been brought against him both his good name and reputation will be preserved."

Dearing was originally arrested last June along with 11 other suspects when legal practices in Blackburn, Earby and Clitheroe were also targeted by police. Homes in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Padiham and Colne were searched.

Two other men, solicitor John Broughton, 53, of Foulridge, who runs a practice in Keighley; and legal representative Noel Tully, 36, of Liverpool, were also charged with single counts on money laundering and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

All three men were bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, April 15. wo others have had their bail extended until April 8 and May 27.