Earlier this week I issued a statement following the announcement that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary had appointed the Chief Constable of Warwickshire to lead an investigation into allegations relating to a number of people with associations to Cleveland Police Authority.
At that point I had received an initial letter informing me that I was one of the people involved, but no-one from the investigation had spoken to me, given me information as to the nature of the allegations—or who had made the allegations. That remains the position today.
When I reported the situation to my Police Authority colleagues on Monday I was deeply grateful for their unanimous decision that I should continue in my post as Chair of the Authority.
As I made clear in my earlier statement I do not believe that I have ever acted improperly during my time on the Police Authority—and especially during my period as Chair.
It has now become clear that pressures arising from the investigation could cause significant difficulties for the Authority if I was to continue as Chair which is why today I have decided to step down from that position with immediate effect.
Throughout my time on the police authority my concern has been to represent the public of the area and to do everything possible to ensure that our local communities have the best possible police service. I believe we have achieved a great deal in recent years—underlined by the fact that we have moved from a policing service with major problems to one of the most highly-rated and successful in the country.
I believe that together with Authority colleagues I have been able to play a role in making that happen.
I do not want to see any of that good work undermined—or to hinder the ability of the Authority to make further progress and tackle the major challenges it faces. I believe that it is in the best interests of the Authority, the public we serve—and my own interests—that I step down from the Chair at this point.
I will, of course, co-operate with the investigation but I repeat that I believe I have acted properly and in the interests of the public throughout my period on the Authority and I will fight to defend my reputation and demonstrate that any allegations against me are without foundation.
I wish my colleagues well in the future. I will continue in my role as a member of Redcar and Cleveland Council, representing the people of Skelton who re-elected me last week, but at this point I do not intend to seek re-nomination to the Police Authority when its membership is reconstituted in the near future.