To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


View sample alert

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Independent Office for Police Conduct
Monday 21st February 2022

Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 2 February (HL Deb col 898), what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the Independent Office of Police Conduct’s report on the alleged misconduct of Mr Mike Veale.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

Following an independent investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the then-Acting Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cleveland carefully considered their report and determined that former Chief Constable Mike Veale had a case to answer for gross misconduct. This matter has been referred to an independent panel - with a Legally Qualified Chair - to hold a misconduct hearing in which relevant evidence will be considered and findings made as to Mr Veale’s conduct and any appropriate outcome. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further whilst legal proceedings remain ongoing.

A previous IOPC investigation into allegations of misconduct by Mr Veale found that he had a case to answer for alleged misconduct while Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police. As Mr Veale was by then serving as Chief Constable of Cleveland, at the conclusion of the investigation, the IOPC report was sent to the then PCC for Cleveland (Barry Coppinger) following which it was agreed that he would be subject to a management action plan put in place by the PCC, including an ongoing programme of professional development.


Written Question
Wiltshire Police: Misconduct
Wednesday 31st March 2021

Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar on 16 March (HL Deb, col 168), what independent public scrutiny of Operation Conifer has been carried out.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

Operation Conifer has been subject to scrutiny by its own Independent Scrutiny Panel, which checked and tested the decision-making and approach in the investigation; two reviews by Operation Hydrant in September 2016 and May 2017 which concluded that that the investigation was proportionate, legitimate and in accordance with national guidance; and a review in January 2017 by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (as it then was) of whether the resources assigned to the investigation by the Home Office were being deployed in accordance with value for money principles. In addition, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has also considered specific allegations related to the former Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police.