The chief constable of Cheshire police has been suspended following allegations of gross misconduct, the force’s police and crime commissioner has said.

In a statement, PCC David Keane said that Simon Byrne, who has been chief constable of Cheshire constabulary since June 2014, had been suspended after an initial investigation into allegations of gross misconduct found he had a case to answer.

After advice from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), an external police force conducted an investigation into allegations made late last year against Byrne. The nature of those allegations have not been disclosed.

“Following receipt of the investigation report, and having carefully considered the evidence, I have determined that there is a case to answer for gross misconduct with regards to authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct,” said Keane.

“This matter must now be referred to an independently chaired gross misconduct hearing. In light of this determination, I consider that the public interest requires that Mr Byrne be suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing.”

The PCC said he would not be making any further comment on the matter “in order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing process”.

Byrne’s deputy, Janette McCormick, would take on the role of acting chief constable, Keane said.

Byrne previously served as an assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan police, deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester police and assistant chief constable with Merseyside police, having joined the police in 1982. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in last year’s New Year honours.

A spokesperson for the IPCC said: “The IPCC received a referral in relation to this matter in November 2016. Following a careful assessment we passed it back to the appropriate authority, in this case the Cheshire police and crime commissioner, for a local investigation to be conducted.”