OUTRAGE AS BULLY PROBE CHIEF GETS JOB OFFER
Boss could work while on leave AMAZING CRUISE DEALS
UNDER-FIRE Police Scotland chief constable Phil Gormley has been offered a high-paid job in England while being probed for bullying.
Gormley, who is on special leave, has been asked to head up a review of child protection by the head of the National Police Chief ’s Council, Chief Constable Sara Thornton.
She has written to Scottish Police Authority chairman Andrew Flanagan requesting he be allowed to carry out the review while on leave.
Gormley is being investigated by the Police Independent Review Commissioner, who are looking at three bullying claims.
Last week, the Daily Record revealed a potential fourth complaint may be referred to the PIRC after senior civilian worker, Lesley Bain, made an allegation of bullying against the chief to the SPA.
Yesterday, Gormley’s four-week leave was extended for a further month.
Now it has emerged he could be called in to do work for English forces while picking up his £212,000 wage in Scotland.
A spokesperson for the SPA confirmed the job offer and said: “A request has been received which the board are considering.”
Bain, a highly respected analyst for the force, has hundreds of staff working to her directions and has similar managerial responsibility to a police superintendent.
It’s understood her complaint centres around the manner Gormley spoke to her during a meeting in a public setting.
He had already been reported to the SPA by Superintendent Graham McInarlin and a female inspector.
The third complaint was from Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland yesterday, former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “In any position, when you become the story, your position becomes untenable.
“Whatever the outcome, there has been damage to him and that’s impacting on the reputation of the service.”
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: “This would be unacceptable irrespective of whether or not Phil Gormley was under suspension.”
Calum Steele General secretary of the Scottish Police Federation said: “The timing looks like an overt attempt to influence the SPA in their decision making at a time of review where suspension was considered a real possibility.
“It represents an incredible lack of judgment.”
The NPCC confirmed they had approached the SPA about Gormley.