SPA head slams predecessors for basic errors

The new head of the Scottish Police Authority has criticised her predecessors for not taking basic steps to sort out how the dysfunctional watchdog was run.

Susan Deacon became the third SPA chair in just five years last November amid another series of controversies surrounding the public body.

Andrew Flanagan vacated the role after he was criticised for conducting proceedings behind closed doors. He was also accused of bullying former board member Moi Ali after she disagreed with his decisions.

The first post holder, Vic Emery, did not renew his contract after a power struggle with Police Scotland’s first Chief Constable Sir Stephen House.

Asked about the problems, Professor Deacon said: “What’s the point of looking back? I don’t want people playing the blame game. That said, I do find it quite difficult to comprehend a number of things I would regard as basics just in terms of good practice were not embedded in the organisation, particularly around governance and organisation.”

The former Labour Health Minister also pledged to make the SPA more transparent as she attempts to turn its fortunes around and restore its battered reputation.

She added: “It’s about how we reconnect and project to the wider world. It’s a public authority.

“It has to be an externally facing organisation.”