Cost of misconduct hearing involving Northants Police Chief revealed
Proceedings have now been adjourned until June 20th
The ongoing gross misconduct hearing into Northamptonshire’s chief constable Nick Adderley has cost nearly £200,000, says the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC).
Last week the county’s top cop was put under scrutiny for allegations that he misrepresented and exaggerated his military service, including wearing a Falklands War medal despite being only 15 at the time of the conflict.
Chief constable Adderley denies misconduct and that he acted “without integrity and honesty”. He chose not to give evidence before the panel after taking legal advice from his solicitor in relation to criminal proceedings.
The hearing was originally due to take place over three days but overran onto a fourth before being adjourned to June 20th.
A spokesman for the Office of Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said: “So far the misconduct hearing regarding Mr Adderley has cost almost £200,000.
“This includes the legal and management costs to date and the costs associated with arranging and holding the hearing. We will not know the total until after the process is over.”
The figure covers the cost of the Counsel for the OPFCC, including experienced police barrister John Beggs KC who was in charge of setting out the allegations against Mr Adderley.
The cost of the Counsel defending the police chief is not footed by the taxpayer. Mr Adderley has remained on full pay since he was suspended in October last year, at ÂŁ176,550 a-year.
On the last day of the hearing, Friday, May 31, Mr Adderley’s defence counsel requested that the legally qualified Chair, Callum Cowx, recuse himself and his panel from overseeing the matters. Matthew Holdcroft, defending Mr Adderley, claimed Mr Cowx had already formed a “concluded view” on the top cop’s honesty and integrity.
Mr Cowx said he would consider the defence’s application “very carefully”. If the recusal is accepted, the whole panel will be dismissed.
The hearing has been scheduled to continue later this month, on June 20. No arrangements for the venue have been confirmed as of yet.