Officer in charge when PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone were murdered is suspended

A former GMP officer, who was in charge of the Tameside division when PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone were murdered, has been suspended from the police force in Northamptonshire.

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said that 'after careful consideration' he has suspended Nick Adderley while the IOPC formally investigate gross misconduct allegations for potential offences in misconduct in public office and fraud.

It is alleged the 57-year-old chief constable misrepresented his military service by wearing a Falklands service medal on his left breast on multiple occasions, despite only being 15 when the Falklands War began.

Although he has claimed the medal belonged to his brother, the Royal British Legion members' etiquette states medals awarded to an ex-service person may only be worn on the right breast by a near relative.

Northamptonshire Police said it will not be making a comment at this time.

Stephen Mold said: “Allegations of misconduct must always be fully, independently investigated so that the public have confidence in the integrity of the police service and the processes that independently hold policing to account."

The suspension will be kept under regular review as the investigation progresses.

On September 18 2012, two GMP officers were killed by fugitive Dale Cregan in Mottram, Longdendale. Mr Adderley was divisional commander for Tameside at the time and allegedly described a 'feeling of responsibility' for what happened.

In a video published to social media, he revealed that the incident left him ‘unable to get out of bed for more than a week’ and he even contemplated resigning from the Force.

He took over as head of the Northamptonshire force six years later in August 2018 and was allegedly involved in an investigation the following year after ‘tweeting adversely’ on a grieving couple’s decision to sue the suspect of their son's death.

Harry Dunn, 19, was killed in a motorcycle crash and Anne Sacoolas, the wife of an American diplomat, was accused of killing the teenager while driving on the wrong side of the road.

Harry's family made a formal complaint against Mr Adderley at the time and the issue was referred to the IOPC.