Terror cop suspended over claims he touched woman’s stomach and waist
Top off icer faces misconduct charge following awards event
ONE of Scotland’s most senior police officers is facing a criminal investigation over claims he sexually assaulted a woman at an awards ceremony.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable and head of anti-terrorism Pat Campbell is accused of touching a woman ‘on the waist and stomach’ at an event held in Edinburgh last month.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has instructed police watchdog the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to investigate the claim.
The police chief with more than 25 years’ service has been suspended from duties – but will continue to take home his £120,000 salary while the probe is under way.
According to the misconduct charge, he touched the woman on the body while at the dinner and ‘failed to remove it when requested’, which would be classified as a sexual offence and could potentially lead to criminal proceedings.
However, last night a source close to the senior officer said that since the claims were made it has ‘been blown out of proportion’, leading to Mr Campbell’s suspension.
The source said: ‘ACC Campbell’s position is that he denies any wrongdoing, he isn’t aware of any incident taking place.
‘He had his photograph taken with various people at the event but isn’t aware of any issue.
‘He wasn’t drunk and he left to get the train home as the last award and speech were on stage.’
The alleged incident is said to have taken place at the fifth annual Scottish Cyber Awards at the fivestar Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh on November 18.
It was hosted by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre celebrating the individuals and organisations making a positive impact in Scotland’s cybersecurity sector.
Mr Campbell was representing Police Scotland, along with Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham.
It is understood that he spoke with the woman who made the complaint on a couple of occasions during the event but that he was never alone with her.
The source added: ‘On the face of it, a charge of criminal sexual assault is very serious. On one view, this is the lowest of the low on the scale of sexual charges – but the rumours are running.’
The accusation, which emerged last week, is said to have shocked Mr Campbell and his colleagues, who are understood to be supportive of him.
Mr Campbell is the senior responsible officer for cyber capabilities, cyber strategy and technical surveillance within Police Scotland. He recently welcomed the conviction of white supremacist terrorist Sam Imrie, who glorified Rightwing mass killers online.
Mr Campbell joined Strathclyde Police in 1995, before it merged with other forces in 2013 to become Police Scotland. He was a detective superintendent working within public protection and divisional crime in Edinburgh when Police Scotland was created.
In August 2018 he was promoted to detective chief superintendent and appointed strategic lead for specialist crime support.
The senior officer was appointed temporary assistant chief constable for organised crime, counter terrorism and intelligence in December last year. Since then, he has been involved with policing organised crime, counter terrorism, border policing and intelligence support.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: ‘I can confirm that a senior officer from Police Scotland has been suspended by the Scottish Police Authority. This is in connection with a criminal investigation being carried out by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
‘The chief constable has reviewed Police Scotland’s command structure to ensure the organisation continues to meet operational demand.’
The Scottish Police Authority confirmed this was due to a criminal allegation being made.
A spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Police Authority has suspended a senior officer from Police Scotland duties.
‘The decision was taken after a criminal allegation was brought to the authority’s attention.
‘The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is investigating this allegation under direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
‘The suspension is effective from Wednesday December 1 and will be reviewed regularly, or if there is a change in circumstances relevant to the suspension.
‘The authority will not comment further at this time.’
‘The suspension will be reviewed regularly’