The IPCC was concerned to see the inaccurate reporting in the Lancashire Telegraph on Tuesday April 20 of our decision relating to an incident at the Burnley v Blackburn game. At no point has the IPCC said Lancashire Constabulary is “in the clear”.

This matter was referred to the IPCC as a result of footage appearing on YouTube showing an officer using his baton. Whenever an incident is referred, the IPCC has to undertake an assessment to decide whether it is proportionate for us to take over the investigation.

The options are to conduct a wholly independent investigation using our own investigators – this usually occurs in serious incidents such as fatal police shootings and deaths in custody – manage the police’s investigation or leave the matter with the police force themselves to investigate.

In this case, one of our investigators viewed the YouTube footage and extensive CCTV coverage from inside the ground. On the basis of the investigators assessment it was decided it would be more proportionate at this stage to allow Lancashire Constabulary's Professional Standards Department to continue with the investigation into the incident.

This was explained to the Lancashire Telegraph journalist when we were contacted. That decision has been incorrectly interpreted as the IPCC clearing the police. Lancashire Constabulary has an ongoing investigation into the matter and that will determine whether the officers involved have acted appropriately or not.

Ian Christon, Independent Police Complaints Commission.

* Editor’s footnote: The fact that the IPCC chose not to intervene and pursue their own inquiry does suggest that they did not consider there was evidence of wrongdoing substantial enough to warrant their own independent inquiry. However, we accept that the IPCC was happy to allow the Lancashire force to continue its own investigation.