Fourth probe launched into Scotland’s top cop
A FRESH gross misconduct probe has been launched into Scotland’s police chief, while another senior officer is also under a new investigation.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley is now the subject of a fourth probe and Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins is under his third.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) received a fresh allegation about Mr Gormley on Tuesday and believes it could amount to gross misconduct, if proven.
Mr Gormley has been on special leave since September while accusations against him, which he denies, are investigated.
He is already the subject of three other misconduct probes.
Once each investigation is concluded, Pirc will submit a report to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) containing a summary of evidence and an opinion on whether the misconduct allegations should be referred to a misconduct hearing.
Meanwhile, the fresh investigation into Mr Higgins centres around allegations made in October.
The watchdog has since considered these and deemed they would amount to misconduct, if proved.
Mr Higgins is already the subject of two probes – one criminal and one misconduct – by the commissioner. He was suspended in November by the SPA after “a number of criminal and misconduct allegations”.
Once concluded, Pirc will sub- mit a report about the criminal allegations to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and another two reports about the misconduct allegations to the SPA.
News of the latest development comes after it was revealed by Phil Gormley’s wife, herself a former police officer, that he has not been interviewed about the claims, seven months after the first allegations surfaced.
Writing in a national newspaper, Mrs Gormley described herself as being an “experienced investigator” who had conducted a number of probes “including inquiries into allegations of bullying against senior officers”.
She stated: “No one disputes the seriousness of bullying, but to ensure fairness to both the accused and the accuser, I interviewed key witnesses as soon as possible, obtaining untainted and relevant evidence.”
In such cases she said she had “searched for the truth” but added: “I have seen little evidence of this concerning my husband, who seven months after the first allegation was made, has still not been interviewed.
The Pirc has been contacted for comment.