Former chief and ACC concerned at behaviour of detective inspector in vehicle procurement inquiry

A former West Yorkshire chief constable and a retired ACC have made complaints about the way they were investigated during an anti-corruption inquiry into a vehicle supply contract.

Former West Yorkshire chief constable Mark Gilmore, an ex-PSNI officer, and retired PSNI assistant chief constable Duncan McCausland, have asked the specialist Investigatory Powers Tribunal to examine their concerns.

Mr Gilmore and Mr McCausland were among nine people interviewed by detectives in the 2014 investigation into bribery and misconduct in public office in relation to the vehicles supply contract.

Rosemary Davidson, a barrister acting as counsel at the tribunal said in her explanatory note that Mr Gilmore and Mr McCausland were concerned about the behaviour of a detective inspector.

She said judges had been provided with statements alleging that the inspector had asked a manager at a police recreational complex, and another member of staff, to “carry out observations in relation to” Mr Gilmore and Mr McCausland when they were at the complex.

Ms Davidson indicated that the inspector disputed allegations made against him.

Three tribunal judges oversaw a preliminary hearing in London on Tuesday and said they hoped for a trial in Belfast in July.

The original corruption inquiry had been named Operation Henley.

“This was a major investigation which was concerned with allegations of an attempt to subvert a procurement exercise relating to the supply of police vehicles,” Rosemary Davidson told judges Sir Richard McLaughlin, Professor Graham Zellick and Desmond Browne QC,

“It was alleged that efforts had been made to influence the outcome of the procurement exercise in favour of a Northern Ireland-based company called Donnelly Brothers.”

She said judges would have to examine provisions in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and were “likely” to be asked whether information had been “covertly” obtained and “covertly” disclosed.

The tribunal litigation marks the latest chapter of a story dating back several years.

No charges were ultimately brought against any of the men interviewed – all of whom denied any wrongdoing.

The tribunal has a UK-wide jurisdiction and is the “appropriate forum” to consider complaints about any conduct by or on behalf of the UK Intelligence Community.