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Police Federation chairman bullied by senior colleagues, MPs told Police Federation chairman bullied by senior colleagues, MPs told
(35 minutes later)
The chair of the Police Federation, who is stepping down amid a feud triggered by his efforts to modernise the organisation, complained this year he was repeatedly "gratuitously and cruelly bullied and humiliated" by senior colleagues, according to an internal message passed to MPs. The chair of the Police Federation, who is stepping down amid a feud triggered by his efforts to modernise the organisation, complained this year he was "gratuitously and cruelly bullied and humiliated" repeatedly by senior colleagues, according to an internal message passed to MPs.
Steve Williams wrote in February to members of the joint central committee (JCC), saying he had come under sustained attack for establishing an independent review into the future of the police representative group.Steve Williams wrote in February to members of the joint central committee (JCC), saying he had come under sustained attack for establishing an independent review into the future of the police representative group.
Williams, who announced on Monday he would stand down in May, said he was retiring to allow a new chair "to take this organisation into the next phase". But the letter, in which he sets out the policy for the federation nationally, appears to show he felt he had been forced out by he described as bullying, something which will alarm critics of the organisation. Williams, who announced on Monday he would stand down in May, said only that he was retiring to allow a new chair "to take this organisation into the next phase". But the letter to the JCC, which sets out policy for the federation, appears to show he felt he had been forced out by bullying, something which will alarm critics of the organisation. The federation's general secretary, Ian Rennie, announced his departure at the same time, saying it seemed many JCC colleagues no longer supported him.
The review into the Police Federation, led by Sir David Normington and published in January, provided three dozen recommendations for changing the organisation, particularly over improved transparency and financial management.The review into the Police Federation, led by Sir David Normington and published in January, provided three dozen recommendations for changing the organisation, particularly over improved transparency and financial management.
Williams's message to JCC members, dated 1 February, was published by the Commons home affairs committee ahead of evidence by Normington and the federation's treasurer, Martyn Mordecai. Williams's message to JCC members, dated 1 February, was published by the Commons home affairs committee ahead of evidence by Normington, the home secretary, Theresa May, and the federation's treasurer, Martyn Mordecai.
It said: "Whilst accepting emotions are running high in the advent of inevitable change, at times I have genuinely felt that I have been gratuitously and cruelly bullied and humiliated. It said: "Whilst accepting emotions are running high in the advent of inevitable change, at times I have genuinely felt that I have been gratuitously and cruelly bullied and humiliated."
"It is a matter of fact that for well over a year now from many quarters within the organisation, I have continually been criticised, ridiculed and verbally attacked for my standing in relation to the independent review. He continued: "It is a matter of fact that for well over a year now from many quarters within the organisation, I have continually been criticised, ridiculed and verbally attacked for my standing in relation to the independent review."
"During our JCC networking meeting this week I was once again subject to a lengthy sustained attack and some of you made it very clear that you questioned my ability, my performance, my integrity and indeed at one point called for my resignation." The strong language will add to the impression that Williams departed because he felt he could no longer push ahead reforms within an organisation buffeted by the fallout over the Plebgate affair, revelations it has millions of pounds of surpluses in bank accounts and claims that its headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, are too lavish.
The strong language will add to the impression that Williams departed because he felt he could no longer push ahead reforms within an organisation buffeted by the fallout over the Plebgate affair, revelations it has about £35m in accounts and claims that its headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, are too lavish. Williams said he needed the full support of the JCC to push through change: "I seriously need you all to know that the behaviour from some, recently directed publicly and critically towards me, in my opinion is totally unacceptable and for me personally a straw that edged on breaking the camel's back."
The home secretary, Theresa May, giving evidence to the home affairs committee before Normington, said of Williams's departure that she was "very sorry to see him go" and hoped his replacement would share similar aims. May said: "I think the important thing is that the federation sees the need to elect a chairman who will take that work forward." Williams's letter was passed to MPs by Fiona McElroy, the federation's head of media, another supporter of reform, who was sacked in January. She also provided a copy of a letter she sent Rennie last month, saying she felt she had been bullied and was "not alone in that experience".
May added, however, that she had not asked Williams to stay on and respected his personal reasons for going. She wrote: "Above everything, it was the open culture of bullying, hostile management and the organisation's failure to address these issues that I found the most shocking during my time at the Police Federation."
Also departing is the federation's general secretary, Ian Rennie. He said on Monday he would depart after learning he would face a challenge to his position and concluding that many JCC colleagues no longer supported him. Giving evidence to the MPs, Normington said he was dismayed at Williams's departure and feared it meant reform efforts were being blocked within the federation. He said: "I did say to him: how is this reform programme going to be carried on without you? The implication was it was going to be a problem."
Williams's message was provided to the committee by Fiona McElroy, the federation's head of media, another supporter of reform, who was sacked in January. May told the committee she was sorry to see Williams go: "I think the important thing is that the federation sees the need to elect a chairman who will take that work forward." Asked several times if she felt Williams's departure meant the federation was actively resisting reform she declined to agree, saying only it needed "root and branch" change.
Williams said he needed the full support of the JCC "to help drive through a democratic process the many changes that I believe are so desperately needed". Mordecai – now the most senior federation official remaining – told the committee he believed the JCC did support the changes outlined by Normington's review.
He continued: "I seriously need you all to know that the behaviour from some, recently directed publicly and critically towards me, in my opinion is totally unacceptable and for me personally a straw that edged on breaking the camel's back." However, to some incredulity from the MPs, he said he had never previously seen Williams's letter outlining the bullying, despite having an office two doors down from that of the departing chairman. Mordecai said he had himself suffered personal abuse while seeking to discover how much money is being held by regional federations in so-called Number 2 accounts. So far, he said, he knew of almost £22m of federation money held in cash, calling the accounts system "archaic".
Williams noted the death last year of his predecessor as chair, Paul McKeever, who died following an embolism aged 57, adding: "With a young family I do not intend to let the same thing happen to me." Mordecai confirmed to MPs that his predecessor as treasurer and the then deputy travelled together to Italy to source "toilet pods" for the Leatherhead headquarters. The building was by no means lavish, he insisted, inviting MPs to see it for themselves.
McElroy also passed the committee a letter she sent Rennie on 31 March, saying she believed she had been sacked by him because she knew Williams was going to resign.
"Above everything, it was the open culture of bullying, hostile management and the organisation's failure to address these issues that I found the most shocking during my time at the Police Federation. This was through personal encounters with individuals, those of my team and watching it happen to senior federation representatives and I know I am not alone in that experience," she said in the letter.
The weekend before she was sacked, McElroy wrote, she worked out a plan with Williams and other allies for him to seek a vote of confidence from the JCC: "Such a move would have given the chairman a clear mandate and I believe that this is something that you were not prepared to allow. By dismissing me, you weakened the chairman's position considerably and I believe that was your intention."
Answering questions from the home affairs committee, May was asked several times if she felt Williams's departure meant the federation was now actively resisting reform. She declined to agree, but did say she felt the organisation needed "root and branch" change.