Police force can survive latest setback, says MSP

Justice minister praises ‘dedication’ as top officer takes ‘special leave’

Scotland’s police force “does not rely on one individual” Holyrood’s justice secretary has declared – after it emerged the country’s top officer is on a period of “special leave” while allegations of gross misconduct are investigated.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil Gormley announced on Friday he would be stepping aside while the complaints against him are looked at by the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

While Police Scotland will suffer a “degree of uncertainty” as a result of the investigations and Mr Gormley’s absence, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “The success of Police Scotland does not rely on one individual but on a strong and experienced senior leadership team and on the professionalism and dedication of many thousands of police officers and staff at all levels.”

Mr Matheson said he was “pleased” Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has put his retirement plans on hold, and will now stay with the force “for the foreseeable future”.

Mr Matheson stressed it “would not be appropriate” for him to comment on the specifics of the complaints while they are being examined.

However, he told MSPs he did not foresee the situation having “any immediate impact” on controversial plans to merge the British Transport Police north of the border into Police Scotland

“The proposed date for integration is April 2019 and I see it as very premature to suggest there will be any impact on that timetable,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he added that the process of finding a new chair and chief executive for watchdogs at the Scottish Police Authority was “well under way”, with interviews for the new chair to take place in October.

He stressed: “There will be no gap in SPA leadership.”

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said the time had come for Mr Matheson to “step up and take responsibility” for the situation at Police Scotland and SPA.

He added: “I would like to thank all of our officers and staff for their continued professionalism and dedication during this time of uncertainty but there have been a catalogue of failures both at

“The success of Police Scotland does not rely on one individual

Police Scotland and the SPA since the single force was created.”

Mr Kerr also said there was a “consistent financial mismanagement and a culture of cover-up and secrecy”.

Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Claire Baker added: “In the four years of Police Scotland this government has lost two chairs, a chief executive and we are now on our third chief constable.

“The past year we have seen critical report after critical report which has culminated in the vacuum of leadership we are now facing.

“It’s a disgrace that Scotland’s police force has reached this state of affairs under the SNP’s watch.”

She said the number of early exits from the SPA suggested a “flawed appointment process” and called on Mr Matheson to hold a review.

Picture: Getty. The “professionalism and dedication” of rank and file officers was praised by Scotland’s justice minister amid more controversy as the chief constable went on “special leave”.