This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/17/police-cumbria-arrested-expenses-leak
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Police employees in Cumbria arrested over expenses leak | Police employees in Cumbria arrested over expenses leak |
| (25 days later) | |
| Two police employees in Cumbria have been arrested on suspicion of leaking information about a chauffeur bill run up by the county's crime commissioner. | Two police employees in Cumbria have been arrested on suspicion of leaking information about a chauffeur bill run up by the county's crime commissioner. |
| The arrests came after the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald ran a story revealing that Richard Rhodes, police and crime commissioner (PCC) since November, had spent £700 on two chauffeur-driven trips in the Lake District. | The arrests came after the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald ran a story revealing that Richard Rhodes, police and crime commissioner (PCC) since November, had spent £700 on two chauffeur-driven trips in the Lake District. |
| Officers have also questioned the newspaper's editor twice about the leak. The Guardian understands detectives asked the paper's executives to hand over documents related to the story they ran on 6 April about Rhodes using taxpayers' money to ferry him to two evening engagements. They refused. | Officers have also questioned the newspaper's editor twice about the leak. The Guardian understands detectives asked the paper's executives to hand over documents related to the story they ran on 6 April about Rhodes using taxpayers' money to ferry him to two evening engagements. They refused. |
| After their arrests on 10 April, a 47-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, neither frontline officers, have been suspended from work and bailed until 25 May. | After their arrests on 10 April, a 47-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, neither frontline officers, have been suspended from work and bailed until 25 May. |
| A Cumbria police spokeswoman said the pair had been arrested as part of an internal investigation on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office. She added: "A third staff member, a man aged 59, has been interviewed by police officers on a voluntary basis and has also been suspended from work while inquiries are ongoing." | A Cumbria police spokeswoman said the pair had been arrested as part of an internal investigation on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office. She added: "A third staff member, a man aged 59, has been interviewed by police officers on a voluntary basis and has also been suspended from work while inquiries are ongoing." |
| Colin Maughan, editor of the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, condemned the arrests. He said in an email: "Those who leaked the information to us in the first place have done the public a great service and it is outrageous that the heavy hand of the law has been brought to bear. | Colin Maughan, editor of the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, condemned the arrests. He said in an email: "Those who leaked the information to us in the first place have done the public a great service and it is outrageous that the heavy hand of the law has been brought to bear. |
| "The arrests make a mockery of politicians' claims that whistleblowing is to be encouraged and make it even more important that confidential sources continue to be protected by the media." He has refused to hand over documentation which could reveal the paper's source. | "The arrests make a mockery of politicians' claims that whistleblowing is to be encouraged and make it even more important that confidential sources continue to be protected by the media." He has refused to hand over documentation which could reveal the paper's source. |
| The police spokeswoman said: "As part of any criminal investigation, police officers look to gather as much evidence as possible. As part of their inquiries, officers will be speaking to local reporters to establish where the confidential information came from. There are no plans to apply for a court order at this stage in the investigation." | The police spokeswoman said: "As part of any criminal investigation, police officers look to gather as much evidence as possible. As part of their inquiries, officers will be speaking to local reporters to establish where the confidential information came from. There are no plans to apply for a court order at this stage in the investigation." |
| Stuart Edwards, chief executive of the PCC's office in Cumbria, said Rhodes did not drive to the two engagements "for personal safety reasons". Both involved journeys of up to two hours, he added. | Stuart Edwards, chief executive of the PCC's office in Cumbria, said Rhodes did not drive to the two engagements "for personal safety reasons". Both involved journeys of up to two hours, he added. |
| "When the commissioner was appraised of the cost he immediately stopped the practice of hiring drivers. The commissioner has personally reimbursed the full cost of the journeys. | "When the commissioner was appraised of the cost he immediately stopped the practice of hiring drivers. The commissioner has personally reimbursed the full cost of the journeys. |
| A review took place with alternative arrangements now being progressed. The correct procurement processes were followed." | A review took place with alternative arrangements now being progressed. The correct procurement processes were followed." |
| Rhodes, who stood for PCC as the Conservative candidate, has since been given a car, said Edwards, and has travelled 3,600 miles in the past two months. | Rhodes, who stood for PCC as the Conservative candidate, has since been given a car, said Edwards, and has travelled 3,600 miles in the past two months. |
| "The mileage costs have been assessed. The most cost effective way has been to provide the commissioner with a car rather than paying the cost of private mileage. The vehicle was procured in line with the constabulary fleet specification gaining efficiencies for procurement and maintenance as well as being able to travel around a remote rural county safely." | "The mileage costs have been assessed. The most cost effective way has been to provide the commissioner with a car rather than paying the cost of private mileage. The vehicle was procured in line with the constabulary fleet specification gaining efficiencies for procurement and maintenance as well as being able to travel around a remote rural county safely." |
| He added: "All operational policing issues are the responsibility of the chief constable and are independent of the police and crime commissioner's office." | He added: "All operational policing issues are the responsibility of the chief constable and are independent of the police and crime commissioner's office." |
| Rhodes, a former magistrate and headteacher at two Lancashire private schools, publishes his expenses on his website, but the £700 claims are not yet listed. | Rhodes, a former magistrate and headteacher at two Lancashire private schools, publishes his expenses on his website, but the £700 claims are not yet listed. |
| His spokeswoman, Gillian Shearer, said in an email that the £700 bill was incurred travelling to a meeting with the Bishop of Carlisle and others plus a speaking engagement at the King's Own Border Guards. | His spokeswoman, Gillian Shearer, said in an email that the £700 bill was incurred travelling to a meeting with the Bishop of Carlisle and others plus a speaking engagement at the King's Own Border Guards. |
| She did not answer the Guardian's questions on whether Rhodes supported, sanctioned or ordered the arrests. She also did not respond when we asked why, if Rhodes defended those two chauffeur driven trips, he would possibly have any objection to their existence being made public. | She did not answer the Guardian's questions on whether Rhodes supported, sanctioned or ordered the arrests. She also did not respond when we asked why, if Rhodes defended those two chauffeur driven trips, he would possibly have any objection to their existence being made public. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |