DEVOID OF LEADERS
Ex-justice secretary’s warning over police force
SCOTLAND’S police force is suffering from a “leadership gap” in the wake of bullying allegations against the Chief Constable, a former justice secretary claimed yesterday.
Former SNP minister Kenny MacAskill sounded the alarm two days after it emerged Phil Gormley could be sacked if the claims made by Superintendent Graham McInarlin are upheld.
McInarlin is off with stress after lodging a complaint after just six working as the top aide to the Police Scotland boss.
The controversy erupted days after the Record revealed Gormley, who took over in January 2016, is expected to leave by next Easter.
The force’s second-highest ranked officer, Iain Livingstone, has announced he is to quit and Andrew Flanagan, chair of police oversight body the Scottish Police Authority, resigned last month.
MacAskill acknowledged police had suffered from a budget squeeze. He added: “But as well as a financial hole there’s a leadership gap appearing.
“The chairman of the SPA has resigned and the senior Deputy Chief Constable, Iain Livingstone, is retiring. With other senior officers going or gone, the leadermonths ship team is stretched. It’s time for the Scottish Government to show greater support and for opposition MSPs to cease grandstanding and political point-scoring.”
Bullying claims against Gormley were referred to the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner two weeks ago.
He has said he will co-operate with the PIRC inquiry while continuing to lead the force.