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Poppi Worthington case police chief under investigation Poppi Worthington case police chief under investigation
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A police chief who was criticised for her handling of concerns raised about the death of Poppi Worthington is the subject of a separate inquiry by another force, it has been revealed.A police chief who was criticised for her handling of concerns raised about the death of Poppi Worthington is the subject of a separate inquiry by another force, it has been revealed.
Michelle Skeer was appointed as acting chief constable of Cumbria in December. Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, told the BBC he knew then that she was under investigation but did not ask for any details before appointing her to cover for chief constable Jerry Graham. Michelle Skeer was appointed as acting chief constable of Cumbria in December. The county’s police and crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, told the BBC he knew then that she was under investigation but did not ask for any details before appointing her to cover for the chief constable, Jerry Graham,.
A fresh inquest is to be held into Poppi’s death after a high court family judge ruled the 13-month-old was sexually assaulted by her father, Paul Worthington, before her sudden death in December 2012. Worthington denies any wrongdoing.A fresh inquest is to be held into Poppi’s death after a high court family judge ruled the 13-month-old was sexually assaulted by her father, Paul Worthington, before her sudden death in December 2012. Worthington denies any wrongdoing.
Mr Justice Peter Jackson criticised Cumbria police and county council, saying no “real” investigation was carried out for nine months after the death of Poppi, from Barrow. Mr Justice Peter Jackson criticised Cumbria police and county council, saying no “real” investigation was carried out for nine months after the death of Poppi, who came from Barrow.
The Northumbria police inquiry involving Skeer is not related to the Poppi Worthington case. Skeer has described reports that it relates to misconduct and corruption allegations as “outrageous and inaccurate”.The Northumbria police inquiry involving Skeer is not related to the Poppi Worthington case. Skeer has described reports that it relates to misconduct and corruption allegations as “outrageous and inaccurate”.
“The complaint from the member of the public involves neither corruption or misconduct. It’s a public complaint,” Skeer told the News & Star. “The complaint from the member of the public involves neither corruption or misconduct. It’s a public complaint,” Skeer told the News & Star, which covers Carlisle and west Cumbria.
“I am absolutely incensed that individuals have gone to the press with inaccurate information. It’s outrageous. I have 26 years of an unblemished career in Cumbria constabulary.”“I am absolutely incensed that individuals have gone to the press with inaccurate information. It’s outrageous. I have 26 years of an unblemished career in Cumbria constabulary.”
Rhodes confirmed the unspecified complaint against Skeer was being investigated by Northumbria police, which is a routine procedure when chief officers are the subject of complaints.Rhodes confirmed the unspecified complaint against Skeer was being investigated by Northumbria police, which is a routine procedure when chief officers are the subject of complaints.
He explained that the reason he did not know about the nature of the complaint was because it was something that fell outside his jurisdiction. “I didn’t know the precise details of the content of that and the reason I didn’t know is that this was something that took place when Skeer was deputy chief constable, therefore it was the mandate of the chief constable. He explained that the reason he did not know about the nature of the complaint was because it fell outside his jurisdiction. “I didn’t know the precise details of the content of that and the reason I didn’t know is that this was something that took place when Skeer was deputy chief constable, therefore it was the mandate of the chief constable.
“The only officer over whom I have disciplinary authority over is, in fact, the chief constable. Otherwise, if there’s an issue of raised about officers, it’s the responsibility of the chief constable.”“The only officer over whom I have disciplinary authority over is, in fact, the chief constable. Otherwise, if there’s an issue of raised about officers, it’s the responsibility of the chief constable.”
Rhodes said it was not unusual for complaints to be made against officers and that most were dismissed by the IPCC. He added: “There has been no finding of guilt, and as far as I am concerned, it’s innocent until proven guilty.”Rhodes said it was not unusual for complaints to be made against officers and that most were dismissed by the IPCC. He added: “There has been no finding of guilt, and as far as I am concerned, it’s innocent until proven guilty.”
Skeer was criticised after she took more than a month to hold a meeting about the high court judgment in the Poppi Worthington case that ruled no “real” investigation was conducted for nine months after Poppi’s death. Skeer was criticised after she took more than a month to hold a meeting about the high court judgment in the Poppi Worthington case, which found that no “real” investigation was conducted for nine months after Poppi’s death.
The revelation emerged in a leaked Independent Police Complaints Commission report, which said the 30-minute meeting eventually held by Skeer “would not have been time to go through all the points raised in the judgment”.The revelation emerged in a leaked Independent Police Complaints Commission report, which said the 30-minute meeting eventually held by Skeer “would not have been time to go through all the points raised in the judgment”.
John Woodcock, the Labour MP for Barrow who has previously called for Skeer to resign, said the fresh revelations were “extraordinarily serious … both for the fact that Michelle Skeer was allowed to take over the force but also for the judgment of the police and crime commissioner for apparently allowing this to happen and not asking the basic question of what the allegations were about over which she was being investigated by another force.John Woodcock, the Labour MP for Barrow who has previously called for Skeer to resign, said the fresh revelations were “extraordinarily serious … both for the fact that Michelle Skeer was allowed to take over the force but also for the judgment of the police and crime commissioner for apparently allowing this to happen and not asking the basic question of what the allegations were about over which she was being investigated by another force.
“To know that someone was under investigation and to not ask the question why, I’m afraid it does raise a basic question of competence and whether this was a negligently discharged decision.”“To know that someone was under investigation and to not ask the question why, I’m afraid it does raise a basic question of competence and whether this was a negligently discharged decision.”
On Wednesday, it was announced that Graham would resume his position as Cumbria’s chief constable next week.On Wednesday, it was announced that Graham would resume his position as Cumbria’s chief constable next week.