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Gwent Police commissioner spent £16,000 to oust chief | Gwent Police commissioner spent £16,000 to oust chief |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than £16,000 has been spent in legal fees by a police commissioner who ousted his chief constable from post, it has emerged. | More than £16,000 has been spent in legal fees by a police commissioner who ousted his chief constable from post, it has emerged. |
Gwent PCC Ian Johnston disclosed the figures in a letter to MPs looking into the departure of Carmel Napier as the force's chief constable. | Gwent PCC Ian Johnston disclosed the figures in a letter to MPs looking into the departure of Carmel Napier as the force's chief constable. |
In June Mr Johnston said he had ordered Mrs Napier to "retire or be removed". | In June Mr Johnston said he had ordered Mrs Napier to "retire or be removed". |
Mr Johnston told the Home Affairs Select Committee he spent £16,522 on a senior and junior barrister. | Mr Johnston told the Home Affairs Select Committee he spent £16,522 on a senior and junior barrister. |
Committee chair Keith Vaz said the accountability of PCCs needs to be scrutinised while Newport West MP Paul Flynn has likened PCCs as having unlimited "Henry VIII" powers. | |
"I am deeply concerned at the amount the taxpayer has had to spend on legal advice for this Gwent saga," said Mr Vaz. | "I am deeply concerned at the amount the taxpayer has had to spend on legal advice for this Gwent saga," said Mr Vaz. |
"It is clear that the powers and accountability of PCCs need to be carefully scrutinised. | "It is clear that the powers and accountability of PCCs need to be carefully scrutinised. |
"The committee will revisit the issue of PCCs on the anniversary of their election in November." | "The committee will revisit the issue of PCCs on the anniversary of their election in November." |
On Tuesday, Mrs Napier told the committee she was forced to resign following "menacing and bullying" treatment by the force's police commissioner. | |
'Powers reduced' | |
Mr Johnston told MPs she was "unacceptably" unhelpful. | |
It has since emerged he has incurred a £16,522 legal bill by using a £400-an-hour senior barrister and a £175-an-hour junior barrister. | |
On Thursday, Newport West MP Paul Flynn likened PCCs as having unlimited "Henry VIII" powers which threaten the independence of the police. | |
Turning to Commons Leader Andrew Lansley during business questions, Mr Flynn said: "When can we debate the creation of the office of police and crime commissioners which is causing disruption, waste and unhappiness throughout the country?" | |
"The concept of having two police constables in charge, one of whom has Henry VIII powers - almost unlimited - and the existing chief constables having their powers diminished and threatened is a matter of great concern and a threat to the independence of our police." | |
Mr Lansley said that "democracy matters" and that accountability came with a PCC's election. |
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