PCC should consider his position if he misled - MP

A senior Labour MP says the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) should "seriously consider his position" if it is found he misled the public over misconduct allegations against the force's former chief constable.

A body representing high-ranking police officers confirmed it was told by Jonathan Evison's office that he was briefed about complaints concerning Paul Anderson five days earlier than had previously been reported.

Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, said the timing mattered because there was a further allegation of misconduct during this five-day period.

The BBC has approached the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Mr Evison for comment.

Mr Evison's office confirmed in writing to the Police Superintendents' Association (PSA) that he had been briefed about allegations concerning Paul Anderson on 14 June.

The OPCC previously said it was made aware of a complaint on 28 May but that it contained limited detail and was not in writing.

As a result, the commissioner himself was not told until 19 June, Mr Evison's office said.

Last week, the BBC learned Mr Anderson was facing an Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation for potential gross misconduct over "allegations of unprofessional behaviour, discriminatory, insensitive and offensive comments".

The BBC understands at least one of the incidents being investigated by the IOPC happened after the complaint had been passed to the OPCC.

Hardy told the BBC: "This is why the timing matters. Some people might think why are we getting so fussed about five days. It matters because we know there was an allegation of gross misconduct [Mr Anderson].

"I think if he [Mr Evison] has misled [people], he should seriously consider his position, but I think it is very important the IOPC gets on top of this and finds out exactly what has been going on."

Sources within the force said the delay in reporting the complaint allowed Mr Anderson to "continue to behave inappropriately and erratically".

A PSA spokesperson said: “A representative from the Humberside OPCC wrote to national officers of the PSA on the 14 June, confirming that the PCC had been briefed on allegations relating to... Paul Anderson. This was in his role as the appropriate authority for such matters."

• 23 May - Police Superintendents' Association raised complaints about the conduct of the chief constable with chief officers at Humberside Police.

• 28 May – Staff in the OPCC were first told of a complaint against the chief constable but it had "limited details".

• 12 June – Staff in the OPCC received a written complaint from a senior police officer.

• 24 June - Mr Anderson gave verbal notice of his decision to retire to the OPCC. The OPCC referred the misconduct allegations against Mr Anderson to the IOPC.

• 25 June - IOPC confirmed to OPCC that an independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Anderson was under way.

• 1 July - Paul Anderson had his final day in office before retiring. Judi Heaton was named interim chief constable.

• 16 October - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services raised "serious concerns" about "instability in the senior leadership" at Humberside Police.

• 28 October - IOPC confirmed Mr Anderson is under investigation for potential gross misconduct.

A report in October by His Majesty's Inspectorate Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services gave Humberside Police one of the highest performance ratings in the country.

However, the report was accompanied by a letter from the inspection team which outlined “serious concerns” about “instability in senior leadership” at the force.

At the time, Mr Evison said he had “no cause for concern” and the temporary Chief Constable, Judi Heaton, promised to deal with any cultural issues in the force.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.