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| Police chief urged to step aside during 'bullying' probe | Police chief urged to step aside during 'bullying' probe |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Police Scotland's chief constable is facing calls to step aside while he is investigated over claims of misconduct. | Police Scotland's chief constable is facing calls to step aside while he is investigated over claims of misconduct. |
| Phil Gormley insists he "remains focused" on the job despite being the subject of a probe by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. | Phil Gormley insists he "remains focused" on the job despite being the subject of a probe by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. |
| BBC Scotland understands the inquiry concerns an allegation about bullying. | BBC Scotland understands the inquiry concerns an allegation about bullying. |
| Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said it would be "necessary" for Mr Gormley to take a leave of absence to ensure an effective investigation. | Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said it would be "necessary" for Mr Gormley to take a leave of absence to ensure an effective investigation. |
| Other parties have called for "full transparency" in the investigation and want the full findings to be published. | Other parties have called for "full transparency" in the investigation and want the full findings to be published. |
| 'Cooperating fully' | 'Cooperating fully' |
| The probe follows a referral from the Scottish Police Authority, which passed the matter to Pirc for investigation. | The probe follows a referral from the Scottish Police Authority, which passed the matter to Pirc for investigation. |
| There has been no formal indication of the nature of the complaint made against Mr Gormley, or who submitted it. However, Pirc said that "the allegations, if proved, would amount to gross misconduct" - defined as a breach of professional standards under which "dismissal may be justified". | There has been no formal indication of the nature of the complaint made against Mr Gormley, or who submitted it. However, Pirc said that "the allegations, if proved, would amount to gross misconduct" - defined as a breach of professional standards under which "dismissal may be justified". |
| BBC Scotland understands the complaint was one of bullying, from a fellow Police Scotland officer. | BBC Scotland understands the complaint was one of bullying, from a fellow Police Scotland officer. |
| Mr Gormley, who took up the post of chief constable in January 2016, said he was "cooperating fully with Pirc" and would provide "all necessary assistance". | Mr Gormley, who took up the post of chief constable in January 2016, said he was "cooperating fully with Pirc" and would provide "all necessary assistance". |
| But he added: "I would like to stress that I remain focused on leading Police Scotland, ensuring that we continue to serve and protect the people of this country." | But he added: "I would like to stress that I remain focused on leading Police Scotland, ensuring that we continue to serve and protect the people of this country." |
| Mr Rennie said the allegations were "incredibly serious" and needed "a thorough and prompt investigation". | Mr Rennie said the allegations were "incredibly serious" and needed "a thorough and prompt investigation". |
| He said: "You cannot have the chief constable, the boss of the organisation, in place while his office is being investigated. | |
| "I think it would be appropriate for him to step to one side. I think it would be wise if he took that decision himself. | |
| "This is a very serious allegation, about gross misconduct, so it wouldn't be appropriate for the chief constable to remain in position while that investigation is being conducted." | |
| Niven Rennie, a former president of the Association of Police Superintendents, also said it might be best if Mr Gormley stepped aside for the duration of the inquiry. | |
| He told BBC Scotland: "There is the potential that witnesses might not come forward because he's there, or might not say something they otherwise would have said. | |
| "There's also a question about other members of the executive team - they'll be getting interviewed as well. Did they see such conduct? And if they did, why did they not step in to stop it? So the whole matter is very complicated." | |
| Analysis by Reevel Alderson, BBC Scotland home affairs correspondent | |
| BBC Scotland understands the allegations come from a senior officer at Police Scotland headquarters at Tulliallan Castle and are of bullying behaviour. | |
| Normally these investigations would be investigated by the force's professional standards department, but because Mr Gormley is of such a senior rank, the regulations require that it's passed to the Scottish Police Authority. | |
| They don't have any investigation capabilities so they have passed it to the Pirc - and that investigation is now under way. | |
| Mr Gormley has said it is inappropriate to comment further while that is ongoing. In the meantime, he continues to work while he awaits the results of this inquiry. | |
| There have also been calls for as much information as possible about the probe to be made public. | There have also been calls for as much information as possible about the probe to be made public. |
| Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said it was "essential" that there was "full transparency as to what exactly has happened" | Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said it was "essential" that there was "full transparency as to what exactly has happened" |
| He said: "This will do nothing to help the reputation of Police Scotland, and the public will need to be reassured that if there has been any wrongdoing it will be swiftly dealt with." | He said: "This will do nothing to help the reputation of Police Scotland, and the public will need to be reassured that if there has been any wrongdoing it will be swiftly dealt with." |
| Scottish Labour's Claire Baker also urged Pirc to be "as transparent as possible", saying: "With the most senior police officer under investigation, it is vital that whatever the outcome the public maintains confidence in Police Scotland." | |
| Scottish Green MSP John Finnie, himself a former policeman, said it was "vital that a thorough investigation is undertaken and the full findings are published". | Scottish Green MSP John Finnie, himself a former policeman, said it was "vital that a thorough investigation is undertaken and the full findings are published". |
| The investigation is the latest in a string of controversies to hit the single police force since it was established in 2013. | The investigation is the latest in a string of controversies to hit the single police force since it was established in 2013. |
| Its first chief constable, Sir Stephen House, left the role in 2015 in the wake of criticism over armed officers being put on routine patrol, the force's policies on stopping and searching juveniles and the response to a fatal crash on the M9. | Its first chief constable, Sir Stephen House, left the role in 2015 in the wake of criticism over armed officers being put on routine patrol, the force's policies on stopping and searching juveniles and the response to a fatal crash on the M9. |
| The Scottish Police Authority is looking for a new chairman after Andrew Flanagan announced he would quit amid sustained criticism from MSPs. He had also faced allegations of bullying behaviour. | The Scottish Police Authority is looking for a new chairman after Andrew Flanagan announced he would quit amid sustained criticism from MSPs. He had also faced allegations of bullying behaviour. |
| Holyrood justice committee convener Margaret Mitchell, a Conservative MSP, said the police service was "rudderless". | Holyrood justice committee convener Margaret Mitchell, a Conservative MSP, said the police service was "rudderless". |
| She said: "The chief constable is under investigation, the chair of the Scottish Police Authority is resigning. The service is rudderless. | She said: "The chief constable is under investigation, the chair of the Scottish Police Authority is resigning. The service is rudderless. |
| "[Justice Secretary] Michael Matheson needs to take control of the situation. This shambolic situation can't be allowed to go on any longer." | "[Justice Secretary] Michael Matheson needs to take control of the situation. This shambolic situation can't be allowed to go on any longer." |
| A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We note the Pirc investigation and that they will provide a report to the Scottish Police Authority. | A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We note the Pirc investigation and that they will provide a report to the Scottish Police Authority. |
| "It would not be appropriate to comment on any current investigation." | "It would not be appropriate to comment on any current investigation." |