A friend of Harry Redknapp has attacked the City Police for their “disgraceful” treatment of the cleared football manager.

It took a jury five hours to find Mr Redknapp and co-accused Milan Mandaric not guilty of tax evasion on Wednesday following a lengthy trial at Southwark Crown Court.

The Tottenham boss, who lives in Sandbanks with wife Sandra, had denied accepting secret untaxed bonus payments from the ex-Portsmouth chairman.

Michael Filer had been due to give evidence during the last day of Harry’s defence case to speak of his time as the former Bournemouth manager’s accountant in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In the end he was not called, but told the Echo Harry was always determined to pay the right tax and for his records and tax returns to be “meticulous”.

Mr Filer, ward councillor for Bournemouth East Cliff and cabinet member for transport and technical services, said: “I have known Harry for decades.

“The manner in which the police treated him when his home was raided several years ago was absolutely disgraceful.

“I know they are entitled to raid someone’s home but the fact they arrived at 6am with a group of photographers from the national press proves it hadn’t been kept confidential. This is not a professional way for the national police to behave.

“This is something I deplore. I know it wasn’t the local police because they wouldn’t have behaved in that manner.”

Speaking about the outcome, Mr Filer said: “I am absolutely elated with this wonderful aspect of British justice. I feel the case never should have happened.

“He has had five years of pure torture and has been prosecuted for something he could have been sent to prison for. He was blatantly not guilty.”

Mr Filer added: “The state has spent £8million on this case. He has paid millions of pounds in tax and the amount of tax the state would have lost had he been guilty was very, very small compared to the figures he has paid.”

During the trial the jury heard evidence that Mr Redknapp had refused to pocket a £120,000 compensation handout from Portsmouth Football Club and insisted it was given to the youth of Portsmouth.

And Mr Filer said: “This is the kind of person he is. He is extremely charitable and generous and is involved in many charities locally.

“I do hope now the case is over it will be a sign and he will be made the next England football manager.”

How star manager helped soldier’s family

THE father of a Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan has recalled Harry Redknapp’s private act of support to the family.

When Ian Thornton, brother of the late Lt John Thornton – who was killed serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan in 2008 – was getting ready to follow in his sibling’s footsteps, the football manager stepped in with a very private send-off.

As Ian prepared himself for the troubled Afghan war zone, he received a voicemail from the Tottenham boss.

Ian’s dad, Peter, said: “Ian was absolutely chuffed to bits with Harry’s message. It was a great send off. He (Ian) is a huge Tottenham fan.

“Harry is a great bloke. I mean, it’s the little things isn’t it?”

After Ian flew out, a signed Spurs shirt arrived in the post a few days later.