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SPA chief Susan Deacon quits over 'fundamentally flawed' system SPA chief Susan Deacon quits over 'fundamentally flawed' system
(32 minutes later)
Prof Susan Deacon has resigned as chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and issued a strong condemnation of the way Police Scotland is governed.Prof Susan Deacon has resigned as chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and issued a strong condemnation of the way Police Scotland is governed.
In her resignation letter, she called the system "fundamentally flawed".In her resignation letter, she called the system "fundamentally flawed".
Ms Deacon was Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh from 1999 to 2007 and served as Scottish health minister.Ms Deacon was Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh from 1999 to 2007 and served as Scottish health minister.
When she was appointed in 2017, then justice secretary Michael Matheson said she would "bring a fresh perspective to the governance of Scottish policing".When she was appointed in 2017, then justice secretary Michael Matheson said she would "bring a fresh perspective to the governance of Scottish policing".
Writing to Mr Matheson's successor, Humza Yousaf, Ms Deacon said she had worked "tirelessly" to ensure the SPA operated effectively, and that public confidence and trust in policing was maintained.Writing to Mr Matheson's successor, Humza Yousaf, Ms Deacon said she had worked "tirelessly" to ensure the SPA operated effectively, and that public confidence and trust in policing was maintained.
She added: "In truth, however, I have increasingly become convinced that the governance and accountability arrangements for policing in Scotland are fundamentally flawed, in structure, culture and practice, and I conclude that there is little more I can do to make these arrangements work effectively."She added: "In truth, however, I have increasingly become convinced that the governance and accountability arrangements for policing in Scotland are fundamentally flawed, in structure, culture and practice, and I conclude that there is little more I can do to make these arrangements work effectively."
Two years of turmoil
It has not been an easy two years for Susan Deacon as chair of the Scottish Police Authority.
She was appointed in December 2017 following turmoil in the authority which was seen as lacking transparency in its dealings, and was rocked by accusations of bullying surrounding the previous chair, Andrew Flanagan.
The police service which she was to oversee, was also in turmoil with a series of allegations of gross misconduct being investigated against the chief constable, Phil Gormley, who resigned in early 2018.
Prof Deacon has been credited with making the actions of the authority, whose role is to hold Police Scotland to account, more transparent.
And in her resignation letter, she said the police service was in a much stronger place than when she was appointed.
But it is her criticism of the way the national force is scrutinised and held to account which will cause concern, particularly her view that current governance and accountability arrangements are fundamentally flawed.
It was a view shared by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, Gill Imrie, who told Holyrood's Justice Committee on Tuesday that senior officers at Police Scotland had become "frustrated" by the lack of scrutiny.
In an earlier report, Ms Imrie had said there was "no clear vision, strategy or plan in place" for the SPA.
Policing inevitably is a highly political matter, but Prof Deacon said the government must review the separation between politics and policing, and said she felt there was little more she could do in the role.
SPA Vice Chair David Crichton will take over leadership of the authority's board on an interim basis.SPA Vice Chair David Crichton will take over leadership of the authority's board on an interim basis.
He paid tribute to the work Prof Deacon had carried out, but insisted the system for police oversight was "sound".He paid tribute to the work Prof Deacon had carried out, but insisted the system for police oversight was "sound".
'Personal decision'
Mr Crichton said Prof Deacon had taken up the role during a period of "considerable instability in the police service".Mr Crichton said Prof Deacon had taken up the role during a period of "considerable instability in the police service".
He added: "We believe that the system of governance and accountability for policing in Scotland that was envisaged by the founding legislation is a sound one and can work effectively."He added: "We believe that the system of governance and accountability for policing in Scotland that was envisaged by the founding legislation is a sound one and can work effectively."
"While we respect this personal decision of the chair, our collective focus will be on working together with our dedicated staff team to build on recent progress, deliver the actions and improvements already identified, and redouble the SPA's focus on the issues of greatest importance to policing and the public.""While we respect this personal decision of the chair, our collective focus will be on working together with our dedicated staff team to build on recent progress, deliver the actions and improvements already identified, and redouble the SPA's focus on the issues of greatest importance to policing and the public."
The SPA, which was established in 2013, has had to deal with a number of significant challenges, including an investigation into allegations against the former chief constable, Phil Gormley. Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone also paid tribute to Prof Deacon and the work she had done at the SPA.
Earlier this year, the former Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini, called for changes in the way complaints against senior police officers were handled. He added: "I'd like to acknowledge the contribution Ms Deacon has made to policing in Scotland and thank her for the work she has done with us."
Dame Elish said complaints against senior officers in Scotland should be dealt with more speedily.
She has also called for wider use of body cameras by on-duty officers.
Phil Gormley resigned early last year, more than six months after the first in a series of complaints about alleged gross misconduct was made against him.
'Poor governance'
Ms Deacon's predecessor Andrew Flanagan resigned after heavy criticism from two Holyrood committees over governance and transparency at the SPA, with MSPs calling for him to go.Ms Deacon's predecessor Andrew Flanagan resigned after heavy criticism from two Holyrood committees over governance and transparency at the SPA, with MSPs calling for him to go.
In a letter to the then justice secretary, Mr Flanagan said he would step down to avoid being a "distraction" to the new 10-year policing strategy.In a letter to the then justice secretary, Mr Flanagan said he would step down to avoid being a "distraction" to the new 10-year policing strategy.
He also said the "personalised" debate had "impacted on me and my family".He also said the "personalised" debate had "impacted on me and my family".
In 2017 the SPA was criticised for poor governance and a lack of transparency in a report by the public spending watchdog.
Audit Scotland said relocation expenses of £67,000, paid to a deputy chief constable, had not been properly disclosed in the accounts.
The same officer's £53,000 personal tax liability for 2016-17 was also paid by the SPA.
The report also criticised the spending of £344,000 on three temporary posts.