POLICE Scotland’s chief constable Phil Gormley has been granted “special leave” after one of his most senior officers accused the beleaguered top cop of bullying and intimidation.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) are currently investigating two allegations of bullying, while the Scottish Police Authority are looking into a third.
If found guilty of bullying, which under force guidelines is gross misconduct, Gormley would lose the job he took up just 19 months ago.
He has denied the allegations and says he intends to resume full duties “when this matter has been resolved”.
The latest complaint was raised by a member of the Force Executive, Police Scotland’s senior management team.
Yesterday, the Daily Record named Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham as the officer behind the latest complaint.
Graham, who has been a police officer since 1995, is currently in charge of the force’s Policing 2026 programme — a strategy for policing in the country over the next decade.
A senior source told the paper: “Malcolm Graham is a respected police officer with the rank and file. He’s been a street cop and a detective involved in a number of major investigations.
“He was the head of the old Lothian and Borders Police organised crime division and was also involved with Scottish victims of the Asian Tsunami. He’s vastly experienced and has worked in many departments as he’s climbed the promotional ladder. For someone of his experience to levy an allegation of bullying against the chief is serious.”
The source added: “The SPA cannot brush this one under the carpet. What we now have is three allegations of gross misconduct against the Chief Constable.
“Firstly by an inspector, who is off sick with ill health due to the way she says she’s been treated by him, likewise a superintendent in similar circumstances and now an Assistant Chief Constable who says he has suffered stress and health issues due to the way he has been treated by the Chief Constable.”
In a statement, 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.”
The SPA confirmed it had agreed to Gormley’s request for a temporary leave of absence and said this will be kept under review on a four-weekly basis.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone will take over leadership of Police Scotland until further notice, the authority said.
Pirc said once each investigation is concluded it will submit a report to the SPA on whether the allegations should be referred to a misconduct hearing.
Scottish Greens’ justice spokesman John Finnie, himself a former police officer, said the chief constable taking special leave was a “wise move”.
He added: “While unsighted on the specifics, it’s fair to say any workplace complaints present particular challenges, likely to be compounded in this case by issues of rank and location.
“The practice of separating complainer and accused may also have been insurmountable. The chief constable’s decision, at this time, to stand aside during the investigation suggests there may be greater complexity than first reported.”
The Scottish Tories called for a “swift and thorough investigation”.
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