POLICE called in to investigate a headmaster who suddenly quit a top independent school say he will not face criminal charges.

Chris Alcock left Queen's College, Taunton, after it was alleged he downloaded "highly inappropriate material on the computers and phone provided to him by the college".

Governors also said they discovered evidence of "inappropriate adult relationships".

Mr Alcock resigned in May last year when he was confronted with accusations he had breached the school's code of conduct.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman today (Thursday) told the Gazette: "We don't confirm names of people involved in investigations.

"There was never an arrest in this investigation and there is no further police action."

At the time of Mr Alcock's departure, chairman of the governors Mark Edwards wrote to parents saying: "We became aware that Mr Alcock had been downloading highly inappropriate material on the computers and phone provided to him by the college.

"In addition, we discovered evidence of inappropriate adult relationships.

"The conduct fell well short of what the college expects from its head, and when presented with the allegations, Mr Alcock offered his resignation, which, as you know, I accepted."

He added: "So far, the police investigations have not uncovered any criminal offences or anything that suggests any pupil has been affected or was at risk.

"Establishing this has been a priority for the authorities and for the college.

"If new information were to come to light that changes this position, I shall, of course, inform you as soon as I am permitted to do so."

It has also emerged that, in Mr Edwards's words, there were "elements of the safeguarding regime that were unsatisfactory".

Mr Alcock, who was appointed in 2001 by Queen's, which has a roll of 776 students and charges fees of £5,800 a term for day pupils and £9,770 for boarders, asked at the time of the scandal that his privacy be respected.

His deputy head, Dr Lorraine Earp, has since been appointed head at Queen's, which was founded 173 years ago on strict Methodist principles.

Queen's College has been approached for a comment.