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| Police panel questions commissioner's response to expenses leak | Police panel questions commissioner's response to expenses leak |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Cumbrian police ombudsman has asked the county's crime commissioner why he decided to repay his £700 chauffeur bill only after learning that his expense claims were about to be exposed in the media. | The Cumbrian police ombudsman has asked the county's crime commissioner why he decided to repay his £700 chauffeur bill only after learning that his expense claims were about to be exposed in the media. |
| The Cumbria police and crime panel, which has a responsibility to scrutinise decisions made by the commissioner, Richard Rhodes, sent him a letter on Friday asking him eight questions about his handling of the expenses scandal. | The Cumbria police and crime panel, which has a responsibility to scrutinise decisions made by the commissioner, Richard Rhodes, sent him a letter on Friday asking him eight questions about his handling of the expenses scandal. |
| "Your spokesperson stated that you took the decision to repay the costs of these trips, but only after the issue was raised in the press. When exactly did you take that decision and why did you wait until the issue became public knowledge?" asked Celia Tibble, chair of the panel. | "Your spokesperson stated that you took the decision to repay the costs of these trips, but only after the issue was raised in the press. When exactly did you take that decision and why did you wait until the issue became public knowledge?" asked Celia Tibble, chair of the panel. |
| "You have stated that you have no influence over operational policing; however your statement said that you raised 'concerns' about this issue with constabulary. What was the exact nature of these concerns? When were they raised and how? Can you supply us with any relevant written correspondence, including emails? Who in your office raised the concerns and did they do so with your authority?" | "You have stated that you have no influence over operational policing; however your statement said that you raised 'concerns' about this issue with constabulary. What was the exact nature of these concerns? When were they raised and how? Can you supply us with any relevant written correspondence, including emails? Who in your office raised the concerns and did they do so with your authority?" |
| She continued: "You have also stated that you have 'asked the chief constable to review as a matter of urgency the scale and nature of the investigation'. Could you clarify how this relates to the earlier part of the same statement where you said you had no powers to influence operational policing? Again please supply us with any written correspondence, including emails, relevant to this request to the chief constable." | She continued: "You have also stated that you have 'asked the chief constable to review as a matter of urgency the scale and nature of the investigation'. Could you clarify how this relates to the earlier part of the same statement where you said you had no powers to influence operational policing? Again please supply us with any written correspondence, including emails, relevant to this request to the chief constable." |
| Tibble also asked whether Rhodes considered the police response to the matter to be "proportionate and appropriate". | Tibble also asked whether Rhodes considered the police response to the matter to be "proportionate and appropriate". |
| Her panel had been due to discuss the matter at their next meeting, in July, but Tibble said depending on Rhodes response they may call a meeting sooner. | Her panel had been due to discuss the matter at their next meeting, in July, but Tibble said depending on Rhodes response they may call a meeting sooner. |
| Cumbria's top police officer has defended his force's investigation into its own staff suspected of leaking details of the chauffeur bill. | Cumbria's top police officer has defended his force's investigation into its own staff suspected of leaking details of the chauffeur bill. |
| The arrests of two police employees on suspicion of data protection offences has prompted strong criticism from MPs. The Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, said the police had been heavy-handed, and his colleague Tim Farron said whistleblowers should be protected. | The arrests of two police employees on suspicion of data protection offences has prompted strong criticism from MPs. The Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, said the police had been heavy-handed, and his colleague Tim Farron said whistleblowers should be protected. |
| Jamie Reed, Labour MP for Copeland in Cumbria, said Rhodes appeared to be using Cumbria constabulary as his "own private police force". He has written to the home secretary, Theresa May, demanding an inquiry. | Jamie Reed, Labour MP for Copeland in Cumbria, said Rhodes appeared to be using Cumbria constabulary as his "own private police force". He has written to the home secretary, Theresa May, demanding an inquiry. |
| John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow, said on Friday: "Concentrating huge powers over local policing in the hands of a single individual without sufficient checks and balances was a clear weakness in the new system and the police commissioner cannot defuse the crisis he has created by asking the force to investigate itself. | John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow, said on Friday: "Concentrating huge powers over local policing in the hands of a single individual without sufficient checks and balances was a clear weakness in the new system and the police commissioner cannot defuse the crisis he has created by asking the force to investigate itself. |
| "The home secretary needs to show she understands we do not live in a police state where people who shine a light on mistakes by a constabulary then face arrest from its officers." | "The home secretary needs to show she understands we do not live in a police state where people who shine a light on mistakes by a constabulary then face arrest from its officers." |
| Cumbria constabulary's acting chief constable, Bernard Lawson, said the investigation was not over the top. | Cumbria constabulary's acting chief constable, Bernard Lawson, said the investigation was not over the top. |
| He said: "I am aware of community concerns over recently reported allegations of information being unlawfully leaked to the local press. Cumbria constabulary has well-established internal whistleblowing procedures for issues to be raised by officers and staff and dealt with in a proper manner. | He said: "I am aware of community concerns over recently reported allegations of information being unlawfully leaked to the local press. Cumbria constabulary has well-established internal whistleblowing procedures for issues to be raised by officers and staff and dealt with in a proper manner. |
| "All staff and police officers have a duty to protect and manage the information they have privileged access to as employees of Cumbria constabulary. It is my duty to investigate any alleged unlawful disclosure of information from the constabulary. This will ensure our communities can have trust and confidence in the way we deliver policing in the county. | "All staff and police officers have a duty to protect and manage the information they have privileged access to as employees of Cumbria constabulary. It is my duty to investigate any alleged unlawful disclosure of information from the constabulary. This will ensure our communities can have trust and confidence in the way we deliver policing in the county. |
| "At the present time an independent criminal investigation is being conducted by the professional standards department. Such matters are subject to operational independence and will continue wherever the evidence takes us. A file will be prepared for the CPS to consider the appropriateness of criminal charges." | "At the present time an independent criminal investigation is being conducted by the professional standards department. Such matters are subject to operational independence and will continue wherever the evidence takes us. A file will be prepared for the CPS to consider the appropriateness of criminal charges." |
| Lawson is standing in as police chief following the suspension of Stuart Hyde, the last acting chief constable, seven months ago over his own expenses. Hyde has denied abusing the constabulary's credit card but remains suspended on full pay while South Wales police investigate allegations against him. Rhodes has the power to reinstate Hyde but in March decided to maintain the suspension. | Lawson is standing in as police chief following the suspension of Stuart Hyde, the last acting chief constable, seven months ago over his own expenses. Hyde has denied abusing the constabulary's credit card but remains suspended on full pay while South Wales police investigate allegations against him. Rhodes has the power to reinstate Hyde but in March decided to maintain the suspension. |
| The row over Rhodes's expenses began this month when the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald published details of trips he made in a hired Mercedes with a driver. According to the Daily Mail, the commissioner and his wife travelled 25 miles for a dinner at Rydal Hall in Ambleside. Rhodes billed the public £313 for the journey, which was not listed among his official engagements. | The row over Rhodes's expenses began this month when the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald published details of trips he made in a hired Mercedes with a driver. According to the Daily Mail, the commissioner and his wife travelled 25 miles for a dinner at Rydal Hall in Ambleside. Rhodes billed the public £313 for the journey, which was not listed among his official engagements. |
| A second journey from his office in Penrith to another hotel, the Pheasant Inn at Bassenthwaite Lake, covered 28 miles in each direction and cost taxpayers £385. He couldn't drive himself for "personal safety reasons" because of his long hours, his staff said. | A second journey from his office in Penrith to another hotel, the Pheasant Inn at Bassenthwaite Lake, covered 28 miles in each direction and cost taxpayers £385. He couldn't drive himself for "personal safety reasons" because of his long hours, his staff said. |
| The retired headmaster, who is paid £65,000 as commissioner, paid back the money. It is unclear whether he did so only after learning he was about to be exposed in the media. | The retired headmaster, who is paid £65,000 as commissioner, paid back the money. It is unclear whether he did so only after learning he was about to be exposed in the media. |
| The Guardian asked to talk to Rhodes on Wednesday and Thursday this week, only to be told he was unavailable. Instead he has issued statements via his press spokeswoman, Gillian Shearer, and his chief executive, Stuart Edwards. The Guardian made a third interview request on Friday. | The Guardian asked to talk to Rhodes on Wednesday and Thursday this week, only to be told he was unavailable. Instead he has issued statements via his press spokeswoman, Gillian Shearer, and his chief executive, Stuart Edwards. The Guardian made a third interview request on Friday. |
| According to the Carlisle News and Star, Rhodes's office costs £519,000 a year to run and comprises 11 jobs, two part-time and two vacant. He is advertising for a new communications and engagement officer with a salary of up to £30,633. Rhodes was elected in November with 25,408 votes on a turnout of 15.6%. | According to the Carlisle News and Star, Rhodes's office costs £519,000 a year to run and comprises 11 jobs, two part-time and two vacant. He is advertising for a new communications and engagement officer with a salary of up to £30,633. Rhodes was elected in November with 25,408 votes on a turnout of 15.6%. |
| Two police staff, a 47-year-old man and 50-year-old woman, were arrested on 10 April on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office. A 54-year-old man from Penrith, who is not an employee of the force, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. All have been bailed until 24 May. | Two police staff, a 47-year-old man and 50-year-old woman, were arrested on 10 April on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office. A 54-year-old man from Penrith, who is not an employee of the force, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. All have been bailed until 24 May. |
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