Some were sure he'd be "done in" by the board, others said otherwise.

Then finally on Thursday, before mid-day it was all over, Cllr Bradley was cleared, after a 16-month investigation.

Yes, it took the Standards Board for England, the country's foremost ethics watchdog that inordinate amount of time to investigate some relatively straight forward allegations. Incidentally, 16-months is the gestation period of a tiger shark.

Why so long? Some said it was to avoid creating a distraction during the city's flagship Capital of Culture celebrations.

I'm not sure if this argument holds any weight, but it is the most plausible I've heard to date.

In many ways justice delayed is justice denied. OK, Cllr Bradley has been cleared but he has had this hanging over him for too long, he is justified to feel aggrieved about this.

But as the sharks circled Cllr Bradley always made clear he would fight to the bitter end.

Much in the same fashion his grandfather who used to box - Cllr Bradley donned his own boxing gloves and socked it to those circling sharks.

It wasn't until Thursday that he landed a knock out blow. But Cllr Bradley never allowed himself to get too down hearted, he got up dusted himself off and in the end he prevailed.

Not only has he prevailed but will return to the ring stronger for it. There had been some in his own party who, not having the stomach to wield the dagger, had hoped the Standards Board would dispense with their leader.

The Standards Board may have failed to deliver for Cllr Bradley's detractors, but don't suddenly expect them to be spurred into action.

Each year the political parties chose (or re-chose their leader) around May. Even though it is theatrically possible Cllr Bradley could be challenged in May I can't see it happening. Not least because there is one school of thought that thinks the Lib-Dems will lose control of the council in 2010. Even if some one could muster up enough support to mount a successful leadership challenge (which is doubtful), would they want to be leader for a year and then potentially lose control of the council?

So don't expect any boat rocking.

But, this result also poses questions of Labour. Attacking Cllr Bradley was a major part of their offensive, and if the Standards Board had found against him it would have been a very large and colourful feather in their cap.

Yes, the Standards Board investigation and the events that lead up to it damaged him, but many would do well to remember the famous quote: "If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger".

Labour will now need to come up with a fresh line of attack on the Lib-Dem administration.

The last few days have been a success for Warren Bradley on a number of fronts.

On Tuesday he was pictured on the front of the Daily Post alongside the story that the Superlambanana had been saved.

On Wednesday his beloved Everton beat Liverpool in dramatic fashion.

On Thursday he was cleared by the Standards Board.

And tonight (Sunday) he is attending the Baftas where Terence Davies Liverpool film, Of Time and the City, has been nominated for an award.