FORMER York council leader Rod Hills today warned he may take action against the police after another two charges against him were dropped.

Prosecutors told York magistrates they did not wish to pursue charges against Coun Hills of soliciting a woman for prostitution and wasting police time. No explanation was given in court for the decision.

Last month, a blackmail charge against Coun Hills was dropped at Newcastle Crown Court. Prior to that, allegations of witness intimidation and perverting the course of justice had also been dropped.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service told the Evening Press that, following the Newcastle hearing, outstanding matters had been reviewed.

In the light of what happened at Newcastle, it had been decided that it would not be in the public interest to proceed with the two charges today.

Coun Hills will still face trial on January 30 for careless driving.

He said after today's hearing he was relieved at the latest developments and would be consulting "about where to go next."

He said: "I shall be talking about what action we are going to be taking on this matter. The inference is that it will be action against the police.

"I would have thought it was fairly obvious how I feel. I am relieved that it is all over, and I will be consulting about where to go next.

"I said at the start that I would be able to overcome these malicious allegations, and I have."

He revealed that his association with the Labour Party, from which he has been suspended since his arrest in the summer, was almost definitely over.

"After the way they have treated me, I don't want to stand for that party again," he said.

The next City of York Council elections are in May.

"There is a possibility that I might stand as an independent. A week is long time in politics, and I have several months to consider this."

Coun Hills thanked friends and well-wishers for their support.

He said: "I would like to say again thanks to my friends, and other people in the city who have come up to me and wished me luck. I am deeply touched."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police today declined to comment on today's court developments and Coun Hills' subsequent comments.

Updated: 15:07 Monday, December 23, 2002