A FIFTH complaint has been lodged against the head of Scotland’s single police force as he fights a string of misconduct claims, it has emerged.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley stepped aside in September after allegations about his professional conduct came to light.
Currently on “special leave” from Police Scotland, he faces an enquiry by the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
Yesterday it emerged that the number of allegations against him has risen to five after another complainer came forward to the force’s watchdog, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).
A spokesman for the body would only say: “Complaint and conduct matters are confidential and we do not routinely offer commentary on individual cases.”
Gormley was installed as head of the single force in January last year following the departure of Sir Stephen House in the wake of a string of controversies about the force’s actions.
Gormley previously served as deputy director of the National Crime Agency and was also chief constable of Norfolk Police. Politicians called for him to step aside after the first claims of wrongdoing were made public during the summer.
He did so two months later in September as pressure intensified.
The complaint reported in July centres involves a charge of bullying made by Superintendent Graham McInarlin.
A second issue was raised by an inspector the following month. This was then followed by a report by Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham.
If any of these were proven, they would amount to gross misconduct.
Meanwhile, two further complaints have also emerged, one of which was lodged by a civilian and is being handled internally.
In a statement made as he stepped aside, Gormley said: “I have been notified by the SPA of a complaint made against me. This complaint originates from a member of the Force Executive.
“In the interests of the office of chief constable and the broader interests of Police Scotland, I have sought and been granted special leave to enable this matter to be properly assessed.
“I deny and reject the allegations and will co-operate with the SPA’s assessment and procedures. It is my intention to resume my full duties when this matter has been resolved.”
There is around one year left on Gormley’s contract and the SPA has said it will keep his leave status under review.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone is leading the force during his absence.
The development came after Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said the centralisation of call handling services by the force is not to blame for 200 emergency calls which the Tory leader Ruth Davidson claimed had “gone unheeded” in the past year.
Telfer said “the human factor” had come into play, not cuts or systems.
The comments came after Davidson put pressure on Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood following a PIRC report on failings in the handling of a 999 call from domestic abuse victim Elizabeth Bowe.
She died after an attack from her brother Gordon Bowe in St Andrews last year.
Responding, the First Minister said “significant improvements” had been made.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel