Northants Police Chief Nick Adderley’s defense says gross misconduct hearing ‘unfair’ in bid to scrap committee

In what was initially supposed to be a three-day gross misconduct hearing against Northants Police Chief Nick Adderley, the defense lawyer has now filed an application to remove all members of the panel charged with deciding whether his fate.

Mr Adderley’s defense lawyer said presiding law officer Callum Cowx had already formed a “definitive opinion” on the senior police officer’s honesty and integrity. If the recusal is accepted, the entire committee, including Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke and independent member James Maund, will be removed from office.

The panel heard that Nick Adderley had been accused of misrepresenting his military history, including claiming he had served in the Falklands conflict, that he had achieved the rank of officer during a 10-year career years in the Royal Navy and that he had served as a military negotiator in Haiti. This all turned out to be false.

The allegations came to light when an ex-wife of Mr Adderley complained that media coverage of his military service was incorrect. Close scrutiny was then placed on the Falklands War medal Mr Adderley wore on his uniform, despite being just 15 at the time of the conflict.

LEARN MORE: Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley denies exaggerating his military service in new evidence presented at misconduct hearing.

The police chief denied any misconduct and acting without integrity or honesty, but admitted to breaching standards of duties and responsibilities. Throughout the four-day hearing, he refused to appear to testify, on the advice of his legal team.

Matthew Holdcroft, who represents Mr Adderley’s defense panel, said the police chief was concerned “from the start” about Mr Cowx’s appointment as chairman because of his past career in the navy, l army and police. He suggested legally qualified Callum Cowx had already formed a “definitive opinion on Mr Adderley’s honesty and integrity”.

Mr Cowx raised concerns about explanations given for why these “exaggerations” appeared on Mr Adderley’s CV and application to become Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable.