Sturgeon: Force is in safe hands during top cop probe
Deputy chief postpones retirement to take control
NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday dismissed talk of a leadership crisis at Police Scotland.
The First Minister’s reassurance that the force is in safe hands came after the most senior deputy chief constable, Iain Livingstone, postponed his retirement plans.
He will take over until further notice after Chief Constable Phil Gormley was granted “special leave” while allegations of gross misconduct are investigated.
Livingstone, who had planned to retire this autumn, said he considered it his duty to stay on “for the foreseeable future”.
Following the announcement, Sturgeon said: “I would not have chosen to have a situation where the chief constable felt he had to stand down but there is leadership in the form of the acting chief constable and we will make sure that continues.
“I’m not trying to take away from the concerns that people have around that circumstance, but we have crime at a 42-year low – communities across Scotland are safer now than they’ve been in all that time.
“Let’s have that perspective while we make sure we take the decisions to ensure Police Scotland have the leadership long-term that they need.” Livingstone, a popular choice of boss among rank-and-file officers, confirmed his decision in a letter to the Scottish Police Authority and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson. He said: “Given the uncertainty and challenges currently facing Police Scotland, I consider it my duty to remain in service. “My focus now will be on ensuring that we continue to deliver day-to-day policing services to the people of Scotland and on providing the leadership and assurance that is needed at this time.”
The Record revealed on Saturday that Gormley stood down after we contacted Police Scotland on Friday about a new bullying complaint made against him by Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham.
The police chief already faced two bullying probes after complaints from a male superintendent and a female inspector.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner confirmed they were investigating a new allegation of gross misconduct by Gormley, who denies all the claims.