Phil Gormley, the chief constable of Scotland, has gone on leave after facing a second complaint of gross misconduct from a senior member of staff.

Scotland’s police watchdog, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), said on Friday it had opened a fresh inquiry into Gormley’s conduct, seven weeks after launching an investigation into his alleged bullying of another staff officer at force headquarters.

If proven, a complaint of gross misconduct could lead to Gormley’s dismissal. Pirc said it had begun an inquiry after the Scottish Police Authority studied the new complaint and passed it on for a full investigation.



In the latest in a string of controversies to hit Police Scotland, Gormley said he had asked to be put on special leave while Pirc investigated, but denied both sets of allegations.

“I deny and reject the allegations and will cooperate with the SPA’s assessment and procedures,” Gormley said in a brief statement. “It is my intention to resume my full duties when this matter has been resolved.”

Opposition parties said the investigations against Gormley would further weaken public confidence about the performance, budgetary pressures and management of Police Scotland and the SPA.

If the Pirc finds Gormley has a case to answer on either complaint, it will recommend a formal misconduct hearing.

“Once each investigation is concluded, the commissioner will submit a report to the SPA containing a summary of the evidence and providing an opinion on whether the misconduct allegations about the chief constable should be referred to a misconduct hearing,” Pirc said.

The SPA has lost its chairman and chief executive in recent weeks after a series of rows over their management style, including the resignation of a board member, Moi Alli, after her treatment following her complaints of bullying and unnecessary secrecy in the authority.

Gormley’s predecessor Sir Stephen House quit as chief constable earlier than expected in August 2015 after a series of errors by the force, including overlooking a car crash on the M9 for three days, after which a passenger died.

Gormley’s deputy, Iain Livingstone, will take over as chief constable in his absence. Livingston was widely seen as his successor but is taking retirement earlier than expected, surprising his supporters in the force.



Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, had called on Gormley to step aside when the first allegations surfaced in July. “It has taken too long but Phil Gormley has made the right decision to temporarily stand aside and I commend him on that,” he said.

“The investigation needs to be completed effectively and swiftly so that Police Scotland can move on. There is a lot to fix in Police Scotland and we need effective leadership to fix it.”

“Given the problems Police Scotland is currently facing this is the last thing they need to be dealing with,” said Liam Kerr, the Scottish Tories’ shadow justice secretary at Holyrood.

“Many Scots already have severe doubts over the performance of the single force, and episodes like this will do nothing to help that image.”



