Leicestershire Police’s watchdog has called for a leak investigation after a local newspaper broke news of his ill-health and his recommendation for a successor.
The Leicester Mercury reported on the news prior to a police and crime panel meeting where Sir Clive Loader had intended to make the announcement.
Loader said in a statement on Thursday last week: “I would very much like to know how information given in confidence two days ago became known not only to partner agencies but to the media and the wider public in advance of today’s panel meeting.
“This outrageous breach of confidence has caused me and my wife considerable distress and anger. Accordingly, I now invite members of the Panel to commission an immediate independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this breach of trust and confidence.
“Naturally I am extremely disappointed for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland that the panel felt unable to support with immediate effect my recommendation to approve the appointment of my chief executive officer as the acting PCC for the period whilst I am off work.”
Mercury politics reporter Dan Martin, who wrote the story, told Holdthefrontpage: “It actually doesn’t look like there is going to be an investigation but if there is I won’t be contributing to it…
“I can understand why the police and crime commissioner is upset that things didn’t go to his timetable, but the story was accurate and it was in the public interest so we ran it.”
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