Bullying investigations are dropped as Gormley quits

●‘Impossible’ for me to resume duties admits Police Scotland chief constable

Scotland’s most senior police officer will not face further investigation over bullying allegations after he quit with immediate effect.

Chief Constable Phil Gormley has been on leave since September while the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) examines a number of complaints against him.

In a statement released yesterday, he said it had become clear he could not resume his duties in a “meaningful way” prior to the end of his contract in ten months’ time.

Mr Gormley, who has continued to receive his £214,000 annual salary, will leave immediately, receiving a payment in respect of his salary for his three months’ notice period and outstanding annual leave entitlement. The Pirc confirmed five outstanding investigations into the chief constable’s conduct would cease. Mr Gormley’s resignation leaves Police Scotland looking for its third chief constable since its formation a little under five years ago.

The chief constable, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was being investigated over misconduct and gross misconduct following complaints from senior figures

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham and Martin Leven, Police Scotland’s head of IT.

The most recent complaint against the chief – that he was dishonest in a meeting – came from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank and file officers.

Mr Gormley said: “The last eight months have been difficult for me and my family, in particular I would like to thank my wife for her love and loyalty.

“The events since November 2017 have led me to the conclusion that it is impossi- ble for me to resume my duties in a meaningful way prior to the end of my contract. I now need to prioritise the health and wellbeing of my family on whom these events have taken a significant toll.”

In December, it emerged the SPA had approved Mr Gormley’s return to work in November only for the decision to be cancelled following an intervention by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson.

The minister has faced calls for his resignation over the matter, with critics accusing him of interfering in the decision of the arms-length body.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Mr Matheson said: “I respect the decision of the chief constable and hope this enables policing in Scotland to move forward with a clear focus on delivering the long-term strategy, Policing 2026, that Phil Gormley helped to develop.

“While the management of the police service has been the subject of close scrutiny in recent months, I would like to pay tribute to all those officers who have continued to serve the people of Scotland every day, helping to keep crime at historically low levels and making our communities safer. I have spoken with Susan Deacon, chairwoman of the SPA, which will undertake the process of appointing a new chief constable.”

But Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman, Daniel Johnson, said the row over the chief constable had “descended into utter farce,” raising “serious questions” about ministerial oversight.

He said: “This sorry affair has dragged the reputation of Scottish policing through the mud and must be incredibly demoralising for rank and file officers who put their lives on the line to keep communities safe.

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

Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr called on Mr Matheson to “acknowledge his part” in Mr Gormley’s decision, and “do the decent thing and follow the former chief constable out the door”.

“Mr Gormley has said that it was the events of and since November last year, when the Cabinet Secretary interfered in the SPA’S decision, that made it impossible for him to continue,” he said.

Mr Gormley was appointed chief constable in December 2015, replacing Sir Stephen House, whose tenure was mired in controversy around stop-search and the deployment of armed officers.

A former chief constable of Norfolk Constabulary and deputy director general of the National Crime Agency (NCA), he beat Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone to the job.

Mr Livingstone, who has been running Police Scotland in the chief constable’s absence, is now among the favourites to take the top job.

Mr Livingstone said: “On behalf of everyone at Police Scotland, I would like to thank Phil Gormley for his contribution to policing and wish him and his family well for the future. The last few months have been a difficult time for Police Scotland and for many individuals. My focus, and that of all officers and staff, will remain on day-to-day policing.”

0 Justice Secretary Michael Matheson arrives in the debating