Head of Edward Heath investigation apologises for lying about smashing mobile phone
THE police chief who led the controversial sex abuse investigation into Edward Heath, the late former prime minister, has claimed people have been trying to destroy his reputation after an independent report revealed he had lied about a smashed mobile phone.
Mike Veale, who used to lead the Wiltshire force but is now chief constable of Cleveland Police, told colleagues he broke his work phone when he dropped it in a car park and it was run over by a vehicle. But an investigation by the police watchdog discovered that Mr Veale had lied about the incident and had actually smashed the device when he played a poor shot during a round of golf and hit his bag with a club in frustration.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded that Mr Veale has a case to answer for misconduct for lying about the incident, and it will now be up to Barry Coppinger, the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, to decide what action to take.
Despite admitting lying, Mr Veale has blamed the media for his actions for placing him under “intense pressure” during the Heath investigation.
He also suggested he had been the target of a vexatious campaign to destroy his reputation for spearheading the two-year investigation.
An inquiry into Mr Veale’s actions was launched in November last year after an anonymous letter was sent to the police watchdog, alleging he had deliberately damaged his phone to hide evidence of leaks to the media.
Mr Veale said the suggestion was “nonsensical”, insisting he would not have damaged his phone deliberately.
He told the IOPC: “The damage was caused as a result of me taking out my frustration with my poor play on my bag.” Mr Veale apologised for lying to colleagues, but insisted that had been out of a sense of embarrassment rather than anything more sinister.
The IOPC concluded there was no evidence that he had deliberately damaged his own phone and pointed to the fact that he had asked his IT department to retrieve the data.
Last night Mr Coppinger praised Mr Veale for his honesty during the investigation and said he had recommended internal advice as the appropriate course of action.