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Duncan McCausland: Former senior PSNI officer held by police Duncan McCausland: Former senior PSNI officer released from custody
(about 4 hours later)
Police have been granted more time to question five people, including former Assistant Chief Constable, about the awarding of vehicle contracts. A former Assistant Chief Constable who was being questioned about the awarding of police vehicle contracts has been released from custody.
Duncan McCausland was arrested at his home on Tuesday morning. Duncan McCausland was arrested on Tuesday morning and questioned at Antrim police station with five others.
He was one of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's most high-profile officers and retired in March 2011.He was one of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's most high-profile officers and retired in March 2011.
Mr McCausland said he "strenuously denies" the allegations.
He said: "I am going to go out of my way to ensure I can prove my innocence."
The former senior officer's release is pending a report being sent to the Public Prosecutions Service.
Arrest not 'necessary'
Speaking following his release from Antrim police station, the former senior PSNI officer said he was "disappointed" to be arrested and that he was happy to attend the station voluntarily "throughout the entire process".
"I've actually told them that I'm happy to come back and assist them with anything else that they wish to talk to me about," he said.
"But I fully understand what they had to do and they treated me in a very professional manner, which is what I would have expected."
Mr McCausland's solictor added that they did not believe it was "necessary" for police to arrest him but they would "definitely not" be making any sort of complaint.
He said: "The staff within the building have been excellent, they have treated him with the utmost respect, so there is no issue whatsoever."
Mr McCausland had been questioned for four days following his arrest.
He was arrested by detectives investigating allegations connected to contracts for the PSNI's fleet of vehicles.He was arrested by detectives investigating allegations connected to contracts for the PSNI's fleet of vehicles.
Five others were also arrested, including a serving PSNI officer.Five others were also arrested, including a serving PSNI officer.
Detectives were granted an additional 24 hours on Wednesday to question Mr McCausland and others.
On Thursday evening, a judge agreed to another four-hour extension for the former officer.
A solicitor for Mr McCausland said there was no need to arrest him as he had volunteered to assist the investigation, and strongly denies the allegations against him.
A civilian worker with the PSNI who was being questioned has been released pending a file being sent to the Public Prosecution Service. He has been suspended from duty.A civilian worker with the PSNI who was being questioned has been released pending a file being sent to the Public Prosecution Service. He has been suspended from duty.