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Carmel Napier 'bullied' into retiring as Gwent Police chief | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Ex-Gwent Police chief Carmel Napier said she was forced to resign following "menacing and bullying" treatment by the force's police commissioner. | |
Speaking for the first time since quitting her post on 7 June, Mrs Napier said she had no idea Ian Johnston had any concerns about her performance. | |
She said he came into her office, read out a document issuing an ultimatum - leave or face being forced out. | |
They have both been called before the Home Affairs Committee. | |
Speaking on Tuesday, she told MPs: "I felt that the tone of the document and how he delivered it was both menacing and bullying. | |
"I felt actually from the tone of the note, that it was a clear threat - retire or resign. Or actually, horrible words 'I will humiliate and dismiss you'. That is what rang in my head." | |
Until now, Mrs Napier has not yet given her side of the controversy. | |
Last week Mr Johnston told a panel of councillors - the Gwent Police and Crime Panel which oversees the actions of the PCC - the force was in a "better place" without her. | Last week Mr Johnston told a panel of councillors - the Gwent Police and Crime Panel which oversees the actions of the PCC - the force was in a "better place" without her. |
After Mrs Napier announced she was retiring from her 30-year career in policing, it emerged she had been forced out by Mr Johnston. | After Mrs Napier announced she was retiring from her 30-year career in policing, it emerged she had been forced out by Mr Johnston. |
Mr Johnston, a former chief superintendent in the Gwent force with more than 30 years service, confirmed his ultimatum to Mrs Napier after documents were leaked to the South Wales Argus. | Mr Johnston, a former chief superintendent in the Gwent force with more than 30 years service, confirmed his ultimatum to Mrs Napier after documents were leaked to the South Wales Argus. |
So far, Mrs Napier's only comment on the issue has been a carefully-worded statement in which she asked whether PCC powers were compromising police independence. | So far, Mrs Napier's only comment on the issue has been a carefully-worded statement in which she asked whether PCC powers were compromising police independence. |
She called on the UK government to look again at the power of PCCs, which were first elected last year. | She called on the UK government to look again at the power of PCCs, which were first elected last year. |
Under current laws, a decision to remove a chief constable must be referred to the local police and crime panel, consisting of 10 to 20 members, who may ask for a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). | Under current laws, a decision to remove a chief constable must be referred to the local police and crime panel, consisting of 10 to 20 members, who may ask for a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). |
The panel has no power of veto and the final decision rests with the PCC. | The panel has no power of veto and the final decision rests with the PCC. |
'Overwhelming evidence' | 'Overwhelming evidence' |
Last week Mr Johnston told his crime panel he had "overwhelming written evidence" to support his decision, which he said was within PCC guidelines. | Last week Mr Johnston told his crime panel he had "overwhelming written evidence" to support his decision, which he said was within PCC guidelines. |
He said he would not reveal what the evidence was in case his decision was subject to judicial review. | He said he would not reveal what the evidence was in case his decision was subject to judicial review. |
Mr Johnston has said he was pleased to accept the MPs' invitation and looked forward to discussing his written response to the committee about the chief constable's retirement. | Mr Johnston has said he was pleased to accept the MPs' invitation and looked forward to discussing his written response to the committee about the chief constable's retirement. |
MPs are expected to question Mr Johnston first in the hearing on Tuesday afternoon then Mrs Napier. | MPs are expected to question Mr Johnston first in the hearing on Tuesday afternoon then Mrs Napier. |
Peter Walker, a former Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, who worked with Mrs Napier, said her potential was spotted as she rose through the ranks. | Peter Walker, a former Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, who worked with Mrs Napier, said her potential was spotted as she rose through the ranks. |
"People were not at all surprised that she became chief constable," he told BBC Radio Wales. | "People were not at all surprised that she became chief constable," he told BBC Radio Wales. |
"It is absolutely essential there isn't a fag paper between the chief and the police and crime commissioner," he said. | "It is absolutely essential there isn't a fag paper between the chief and the police and crime commissioner," he said. |
"I think there is a question here of personal relationships. | "I think there is a question here of personal relationships. |
"If he's got this wrong he needs to answer for it at the ballot box." | "If he's got this wrong he needs to answer for it at the ballot box." |