Top officer ‘chaperoned to toilet’ at Police HQ

A SENIOR officer who is taking legal action against Police Scotland claims officers were tasked with following him to the toilet at the force’s headquarters.

John Mauger was placed on leave in 2010 but returned to work at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, in 2013. Picture: TSPL

John Mauger is using the courts to challenge a decision to refuse him management vetting clearance, which would allow him access to confidential police information.

Police Scotland has admitted assigning officers to accompany Mauger on a visit to its Stirling HQ in May, but denies they were acting as “chaperones”.

Mauger, 53, used a freedom of information request to obtain costs of the policing operation, which he claims involved officers following him and his legal counsel to the toilets.

The former assistant chief constable of Central Scotland Police was placed on leave in August 2010 while allegations understood to have included insubordination and inefficiency were investigated. He has since returned to work and is based at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan in Clackmannanshire.

He also came under pressure for his friendship with Brian Rix, a music and events promoter who has a criminal record for weapon offences. Mauger is said to have notified the force as soon as he learnt the details of Rix’s past.

In his freedom of information request, Mauger wrote: “On the first of May 2015, Assistant Chief Constable Mauger was accompanied by his legal team, a partner in a legal practice and his counsel to a meeting held at police headquarters in Stirling.

“Officers were specifically tasked to ‘chaperone’ ACC Mauger and his legal team.

“Those tasked with this duty stood in stairwells, in the rear car park, in corridors and escorted ACC Mauger to and from an office room and to the toilet, where those officers detailed to the chaperone duties stood outside while ACC Mauger and his legal team used the facilities.”

In its response, Police Scotland said four officers – a chief inspector, inspector, sergeant and constable – accompanied Mauger and his legal team.

It wrote: “A chief inspector was involved for seven hours. As you are aware, this did not include periods such as you being dropped off in Stirling and later attending Randolphfield police office with your legal team.

“A sergeant and constable assisted in facilitating the movements into and around the police office of you and your legal team that you had invited to attend the meeting.

“It is common practice for non-police personnel to be escorted when within secure areas of police buildings.

“As you are aware, the time was extended at your request to facilitate the late attendance of one of your legal team.”

Last week, Mauger’s legal team began an action for a judicial review at the Court of Session, hoping to overturn the decision to refuse him vetting clearance.