Advertisement

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable being investigated

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Mike Veale. Credit: PA

The Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police who led the controversial Edward Heath inquiry is being investigated for alleged misconduct.

Mike Veale is being questioned by the police watchdog after an anonymous allegation was made to Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner that he deliberately damaged a mobile phone during Operation Conifer.

Wiltshire PCC said the allegation has not caused them to question the outcome of the Edward Heath investigation.

Mike Veale is currently the preferred candidate to become Chief Constable of Cleveland Police.

We received a referral from the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2017 detailing anonymous allegations about Chief Constable Mike Veale relating to Wiltshire’s investigation into Sir Edward Heath.

After a thorough assessment, we decided the part of the referral relating to the disclosure of confidential information was insufficient to indicate either a criminal offence may have been committed or a breach of professional standards. That matter has been returned to the Police and Crime Commissioner to deal with in any manner determined appropriate.

The IOPC has however decided to independently investigate a second part of the referral relating to allegations that a mobile phone belonging to Wiltshire Police was deliberately damaged by Chief Constable Mike Veale.

This investigation is in its early stages.

– IOPC spokesperson