Police Scotland chief Phil Gormley faces fifth complaint

Police Chief Constable Phil Gormley faces fifth complaint.

Scotland's most senior police officer Phil Gormley is facing a fifth complaint after the latest allegation has been sent to Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

The latest complaint was made by a Police Scotland civilian worker according to the BBC.

Mr Gormley, who stepped aside in September after the second complaint, has been accused of bullying with three of the complaints passed to the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), while a fourth is being considered internally.

The first allegation was made in July by Superintendent Graham McInarlin with two more arriving from Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham and Inspector Aimee Canavan. Mr Gormley was on a “leave of absence” in September and fourth allegation of gross misconduct came in October.

Mr Gormley, a former deputy director of the National Crime Agency, was appointed to Police Scotland’s top job in December 2015, has denied all allegations, intending to resume his duties.

The SPA is set to review Mr Gormley’s leave of absence at the beginning of December.

A spokeswoman for the SPA said: “The SPA board has reviewed its prior decision to grant a period of leave of absence requested by the chief constable and whether any other measures are necessary.

“The board has assessed and agreed that a continuing period of leave remains an appropriate measure to address investigative and welfare issues for all parties involved.

“The SPA will review this again by Friday 1 December 2017.”