Police unit probed over corruption

Dozens of complaints made

Police Scotland’s chief constable has admitted the force’s counter corruption unit is being investigated over corruption allegations.

In a letter to MSPs, Phil Gormley revealed a litany of complaints have been raised about the unit since 2009.

Two relate to criminal allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice, one of which is currently being investigated.

Mr Gormley has asked the chief constable of Durham Constabulary to independently review all of the complaints relating to the Counter Corruption Unit (CCU).

In a letter to the convener of Holyrood’s justice committee, Mr Gormley said there were 25 complaints and 108 allegations in the seven years 2009 to 2016.

The latest complaint includes a criminal allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice and 11 non criminal allegations.

It was revealed last year rules on accessing data without proper consent had been breached when the CCU sought to uncover journalists’ sources in relation to the murder of prostitute Emma Caldwell.

By failing to get judicial approval, the CCU illegally used Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Ripa) to try and find out who gave a London newspaper information about the case.

Mr Gormley’s letter contradicts evidence previously given by the former deputy chief constable of Police Scotland to the justice committee.

Neil Richardson, who was the force’s number two and in charge of the CCU, told the justice committee in December that an investigation into the use of Ripa powers followed breaches during a “live murder inquiry”.

But MrGormley said: “In April 2015 the enquiry into the murder of Emma Caldwell was not live.”

The complaints relate to allegations including wilful or careless falsehood, neglect of duty and discreditable conduct, as well as attempting to pervert the course of justice. Most of them have been closed with either no further action or corrective action taken.

Liam McArthur, the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ justice spokesman, said: “This letter confirms that a senior officer seems to have misled the justice committee.

“Whether this was by accident or design it is wholly unacceptable.”

INQUIRY: A litany of complaints have been raised about the counter corruption unit, the chief constable has said