Top police officer facing possible sack retires before misconduct hearing
The new twist in this four-and-half-year-old saga came as we revealed back in June that the top officer would be facing a gross misconduct hearing – meaning he could face the sack.
That is no longer going to happen because he has already hung up his uniform and retired.
Former senior officer turned Ulster Unionist assembly member Jon Burrows – who used to be in charge of police discipline – has blasted how police have handled the whole affair.
"It's so late in the day, the officer has been able to avoid accountability and retire," said Mr Burrows.
The so-called Hoovergate scandal erupted in January 2021 when there were tensions within the PSNI over an alleged two-tier approach to discipline within the service.
It's claimed the disappearance of the vacuum cleaner which was later returned was not properly investigated first time round to protect the top officer.
A second investigation was initiated, this time by senior personnel at PSNI headquarters. A file was sent to the PPS for alleged theft – a decision was reached just a few months ago not to prosecute.
We tried to contact the recently retired officer for comment but got no response.
Our latest Hoovergate revelation comes ahead of proposed changes by the Department of Justice to police conduct regulations.
No interview from the PSNI, but instead this statement.
''The Department of Justice has recently launched a stakeholder consultation process regarding proposed changes to the Police Conduct regulations," said the PSNI.
"One proposed change relates to former officer misconduct processes where individuals who have chosen to resign or been granted permission to retire whilst suspended and subject of a misconduct process, can either return to conclude the process or it can be concluded in their absence."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Stephen Brannigan remembered as ‘kind and thoughtful' person at funeral
The body of Stephen Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on the afternoon of Sunday August 10. On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and attempted murder of Fr Murray. Mr Brannigan's funeral mass took place at St Brigid's Church, Downpatrick, on Saturday. Stephen Brannigan was found dead in a house in Downpatrick (PSNI/PA) The service was attended by his family members, neighbours, public representatives and emergency service workers. In a homily, Fr Timothy Bartlett said the community had been left 'numb, dazed, and brokenhearted' following the events of the previous weekend. He said: 'Last Sunday, as news of the tragic events of Stephen's murder, and Fr John's attempted murder, began to break, what a very different, what a shocking and very brutal world confronted us.' He said Mr Brannigan lived a life marked by a 'remarkable kindness'. The funeral heard one of his hobbies was flying planes online 'often into the early hours of the morning' and that he was being buried in the new, as yet unreleased, third kit of his 'beloved Liverpool Football Club'. 'So, if there is a kit clash in heaven today, Stephen will be unmistakable as a definite Liverpool FC man. I am sure he would be very pleased about that.' The coffin is carried in to the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan would 'be the first to admit' he was not a 'perfect human being'. However, he added: 'The more recent years of his life were marked by a remarkable kindness, a gentle neighbourliness and a deep love for those who were close to him. 'Yes, Stephen literally went around this historic town of Downpatrick doing good, often quietly, with no fuss and no expectation of return. Stephen loved and Stephen was loved.' Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan and his late wife Dorenda's greatest joy in life were their daughters Ciara and Gemma, and through them their 'beloved grandchildren' Sophie, Lily, Conor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi. He also read out tributes from Mr Brannigan's grandchildren, who remembered him as 'the best granddad' who he had 'spoiled' them – and made a great shepherd's pie. He called on those gathered to remember the words of You'll Never Walk Alone, adding: 'As we say our earthly farewell, we say to you Stephen, 'walk on'.' The order of service for the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) In relation to Fr Murray, Fr Bartlett said the hearts of the community were broken that 'such a gentle and prayerful man should have been subjected' to attack. 'As you continue to recover in hospital, we send you our love, our thoughts and our prayers.' Fr Bartlett also criticised a 'disease of unease and anxiety that is paralysing' society in Northern Ireland, adding that services which previously provided a culture of safety and respect are 'under-resourced and broke'. He said: 'Am I the only who feels that there is growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more? 'Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?' Fr Bartlett said it was time to ask hard questions about how to address violence in society, questioning why a civic forum envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement should be convened. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray.
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Western Telegraph
Stephen Brannigan remembered as ‘kind and thoughtful' person at funeral
The body of Stephen Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on the afternoon of Sunday August 10. On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and attempted murder of Fr Murray. Mr Brannigan's funeral mass took place at St Brigid's Church, Downpatrick, on Saturday. Stephen Brannigan was found dead in a house in Downpatrick (PSNI/PA) The service was attended by his family members, neighbours, public representatives and emergency service workers. In a homily, Fr Timothy Bartlett said the community had been left 'numb, dazed, and brokenhearted' following the events of the previous weekend. He said: 'Last Sunday, as news of the tragic events of Stephen's murder, and Fr John's attempted murder, began to break, what a very different, what a shocking and very brutal world confronted us.' He said Mr Brannigan lived a life marked by a 'remarkable kindness'. The funeral heard one of his hobbies was flying planes online 'often into the early hours of the morning' and that he was being buried in the new, as yet unreleased, third kit of his 'beloved Liverpool Football Club'. 'So, if there is a kit clash in heaven today, Stephen will be unmistakable as a definite Liverpool FC man. I am sure he would be very pleased about that.' The coffin is carried in to the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan would 'be the first to admit' he was not a 'perfect human being'. However, he added: 'The more recent years of his life were marked by a remarkable kindness, a gentle neighbourliness and a deep love for those who were close to him. 'Yes, Stephen literally went around this historic town of Downpatrick doing good, often quietly, with no fuss and no expectation of return. Stephen loved and Stephen was loved.' Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan and his late wife Dorenda's greatest joy in life were their daughters Ciara and Gemma, and through them their 'beloved grandchildren' Sophie, Lily, Conor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi. He also read out tributes from Mr Brannigan's grandchildren, who remembered him as 'the best granddad' who he had 'spoiled' them – and made a great shepherd's pie. He called on those gathered to remember the words of You'll Never Walk Alone, adding: 'As we say our earthly farewell, we say to you Stephen, 'walk on'.' The order of service for the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) In relation to Fr Murray, Fr Bartlett said the hearts of the community were broken that 'such a gentle and prayerful man should have been subjected' to attack. 'As you continue to recover in hospital, we send you our love, our thoughts and our prayers.' Fr Bartlett also criticised a 'disease of unease and anxiety that is paralysing' society in Northern Ireland, adding that services which previously provided a culture of safety and respect are 'under-resourced and broke'. He said: 'Am I the only who feels that there is growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more? 'Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?' Fr Bartlett said it was time to ask hard questions about how to address violence in society, questioning why a civic forum envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement should be convened. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
5G mast set on fire in west Belfast being treated as arson
A 5G mast was set on fire in west Belfast in the early hours of fire, which is being treated as arson, happened on Beechmount Avenue and was reported to police at 00:30 comes after a number of 5G masts have been set on fire recently, mostly in west Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) attended along with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire. Det Insp Wilson of the PSNI said: "I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment. "This is extremely reckless, and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk." 'Fuelled by conspiracies' Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie has condemned the burning of the 5G mast."These vital pieces of infrastructure keep thousands of homes, businesses and public services connected across our city."The campaign against 5G masts, driven by a small minority and fuelled by conspiracies, must end," he said."Anyone with information should contact the PSNI. Those responsible must face the full force of the law." Police are appealing for information.
