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Carmel Napier and Gwent PCC Ian Johnston to answer MPs' questions Carmel Napier 'bullied' into retiring as Gwent Police chief
(about 9 hours later)
Former Gwent Police chief constable Carmel Napier is to speak for the first time in public about how she was forced to retire when she faces MPs. Ex-Gwent Police chief Carmel Napier said she was forced to resign following "menacing and bullying" treatment by the force's police commissioner.
Mrs Napier was told to quit her job by Gwent's police and crime commissioner (PCC) or face being forced out. 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.
Both she and PCC Ian Johnston have been called before the Home Affairs Committee to give their accounts of what led to her retirement on 7 June. She said he came into her office, read out a document issuing an ultimatum - leave or face being forced out.
The Home Office said PCCs had given the electorate a "real say" over policing. They have both been called before the Home Affairs Committee.
Mrs Napier has not yet given her side of the story following the instruction from Mr Johnston that she "retire or be removed". 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."