Former chief officers sue over PSNI ‘corruption’ inquiry

Two former senior officers are suing the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over allegations of wrongful arrest. Ex-PSNI Assistant Chief Chief Constable Duncan McCausland has launched legal action against the force contesting his arrest and detention in relation to alleged bribery in 2014. He is joined by eight people including Mark Gilmore, former chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, who was suspended and questioned regarding potential corruption. The PSNI intends to contest the cases. Mr McCausland, who retired from the PSNI in 2011, was held for three days over allegations surrounding the awarding of PSNI vehicle contracts. He has always denied any wrongdoing and has accused the force of wrongful arrest, unlawful detention and false imprisonment. In 2015 he demanded an apology from Chief Constable George Hamilton, who said he was “wholly content” with the PSNI’s handling of the case. Mr Gilmore left West Yorkshire Police last year after being told he had no criminal case to answer. Mr Gilmore was not arrested during the PSNI investigation but was suspended from West Yorkshire Police on full pay. He claims the investigation was “negligent” and involved misfeasance. The case against the PSNI comes shortly after Mr Gilmore took action against police and crime commissioner Mark Burns Williamson for allegedly delaying a decision on whether he will face a misconduct hearing. A PSNI spokesperson said: “In relation to a number of claims arising from a police investigation, the PSNI can confirm that it will enter a defence in all cases.”