Matheson ‘should follow Gormley out of the door’

Serious questions and problems remain for ministers and Police Scotland in the wake of Phil Gormley’s resignation as chief constable, according to opposition parties.

His departure follows a “troubled” period in the force’s history, a time described by one party as having “dragged the reputation of Scottish policing through the mud”.

The Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour said questions remain for Justice Secretary Michael Matheson, with the Tories saying the minister should also leave his post.

Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr MSP said: “Mr Gormley makes clear in his resignation statement that it was the events of November 2017 – when Michael Matheson intervened to prevent his return to work – that made it impossible for him to carry on.

“It suggests that, less than two years after his appointment, the SNP Government intervened to force him out.

“Michael Matheson may hope that the stink hanging over this affair will clear with Mr Gormley’s departure.

“It won’t. That will only happen when Mr Matheson does the decent thing and follows the former chief constable out of the door.”

Labour’s justice spokesman Daniel Johnson said: “The case of Phil Gormley descended into utter farce and raised serious questions.

“This sorry affair has dragged the reputation of Scottish policing through the mud and must be incredibly demoralising for rank and file officers.

“Regardless of Mr Gormley’s decision to resign, there are still serious questions for Michael Matheson to answer.”

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Liam Kerr says the “stink hanging over this affair” has not cleared.