To an investigative journalist’s instincts if something doesn’t feel, look or sound right then it more than usually isn’t. One either has that nose for ‘trouble’, or you don’t. Most people who have come across the author of this article, Neil Wilby, would definitely say he has. So it was with the announcement a weekContinue reading “IOPC and Home Office caught out over resignation debacle”
Tag Archives: IPCC
Watchdog chief faces ‘under-age relationship’ allegation
On 3rd December, 2022, Neil Wilby Media was amongst the first to break the news that the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Michael Lockwood, had been forced to resign. It was, most certainly, the first to call for an inquiry into how that resignation was handled by both Lockwood andContinue reading “Watchdog chief faces ‘under-age relationship’ allegation”
Police misconduct hearing set to make findings over death of vulnerable woman
A 35 year old woman from Darwen, Lancashire, Kelly Hartigan-Burns, was found unresponsive in a cell at Greenbank Police Station in Blackburn at around 1.30am on 4th December 2016, having self-ligatured. She was taken to hospital and put on a life support system. She was pronounced dead the following day. Misconduct hearing set to openContinue reading “Police misconduct hearing set to make findings over death of vulnerable woman”
Controversial watchdog report criticised from all quarters
A report released last week by one of the country’s two police ‘watchdogs’, extending to 127 pages, has drawn criticism from leading stakeholders, victims and their families, and leading police action lawyers, writes Neil Wilby. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has made seventeen recommendations to the College of Policing, the National Police Chiefs’ CouncilContinue reading “Controversial watchdog report criticised from all quarters”
Watchdog now employs over 1,000 staff but less than 25% ex-police
In a recent reply to a freedom of information request, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed some important information concerning its workforce. The total number of staff employed as at 31st March, 2021 was 1,013, a reduction of 19 from the previous year.. The total payroll cost was £53,950,000, an increase of £3,050,000 (6%) on theContinue reading “Watchdog now employs over 1,000 staff but less than 25% ex-police”
Council say ‘conflicted’ Director will not stand down from police investigation.
Following exclusive revelations on this website last week, regarding family connections from which conflicts of interest may arise, an Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council spokeswoman has said that Strategic Director, Communities and Reform, Rebekah Sutcliffe, will not be standing down from a controversial Greater Manchester Police investigation, codenamed Operation Hexagon. After details of the alleged conflictsContinue reading “Council say ‘conflicted’ Director will not stand down from police investigation.”
Watchdog clears police over M62 shooting
An investigation by the police watchdog into the shooting of a 28 year old Huddersfield man, after a hard stop on the M62 slip road at Ainley Top in January, 2017, has decided that no West Yorkshire Police officer committed a criminal offence or breached professional standards (writes Neil Wilby). Yassar Yaqub was a passenger in anContinue reading “Watchdog clears police over M62 shooting”
Hidden in plain sight
Written by a former Greater Manchester police officer, retired Inspector David Sutcliffe, an email circulated amongst key influencers in regional and central government has piled even more pressure on beleaguered Mayor Andy Burnham and his chief constable, Ian Hopkins. Others caught in the crossfire are Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling, about much has already beenContinue reading “Hidden in plain sight”
Cover-up at all costs
There are many thousands of words written elsewhere on this website about the so-called ‘police watchdog’ in England and Wales, most recently here. Currently known as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), having previously existed as the Independent Police Complaints Commission (2004-2018), the Police Complaints Authority (1985-2004) and the Police Complaints Board (1977-1985). EachContinue reading “Cover-up at all costs”
‘Rotten to its core’
These are the words of leading counsel, Leslie Thomas QC, about what is now recognised as the most scandal-ridden police force in the country. They were spoken in May 2017 at the conclusion of a public inquiry into the death of Bolton man, Anthony Grainger. Mr Thomas went on to claim Greater Manchester Police attemptedContinue reading “‘Rotten to its core’”
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