No vacuum of leadership in police, claims FM

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted there is not a vacuum of leadership at the top of the police service in Scotland.

She was pressed on what action the Scottish Government was taking to ensure public confidence in the leadership of Police Scotland during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood.

It follows the granting of special leave to Chief Constable Phil Gormley while two allegations of misconduct are investigated, and the resignation of Andrew Flanagan as chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) earlier this year.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain said: “This is not about political posturing in difficult times because the public and our police officers must have the unequivocal confidence in the leadership of Police Scotland.

“Given leadership requires scrutiny and scrutiny requires leadership and there is currently a perceived vacuum, can the First Minister tell us how she will ensure that the chief constable will retain or gain the respect of all those that he or she leads and serves?”

Ms Sturgeon said: “There is an acting chief constable in place, the chair of the SPA is in place and will continue to be in place until his successor is appointed.”

She said the Government was committed to ensuring Police Scotland has “a strong, resilient and effective senior leadership team”.