Police chief quits over affair claim

THE CHIEF Constable of Grampian Police is to resign after allegations that he had an affair with a young married woman, it was announced last night. Ian Oliver, 58, told an emergency meeting of Grampian Police Board he wanted to retire from the pounds 70,000-a-year job from 1 June.

The board accepted his offer and decided there were no grounds for disciplinary action. The allegations surfaced a week ago. After five hours of negotiations between Dr Oliver and the police board, his lawyer, Niall Scott, read out a brief statement: "Ian Oliver is pleased the board have confirmed no grounds exist for disciplinary action against him. He regrets any embarrassment and inconvenience that may have been caused as a result of his actions. He will return to duty tomorrow and asks that the press now respects the privacy of everyone involved."

The convenor of the police board, Jurgen Thomaneck, confirmed there were no grounds to take disciplinary action against the Chief Constable. He said Dr Oliver had intimated he would retire on 31 August. But with 12 weeks accrued holiday time, he will leave his post on 1 June.

He refused to say who would fill his position in the long term but said the Deputy Chief Constable would instruct the force temporarily from 1 June onwards. The SNP leader, Alex Salmond, whose Banff and Buchan constituency is covered by Dr Oliver's force, said the settlement appeared to be "reasonable".

"The main thing is that the police force in the north-east of Scotland will have new leadership from this summer," he said.

"I think attention should now be turned to the search for Dr Oliver's successor, and the rebuilding of a positive relationship between the police and public in Grampian. As far as Dr Oliver is concerned, I have mixed feelings.

"On the one hand, I think it's best for the north-east of Scotland that Dr Oliver should go. On the other hand, I feel very sorry that it has been an indiscretion in his private life which has provoked his early retirement.

"My disagreements with Dr Oliver have been on questions of public policy ... not about his private life." Dr Oliver, looking pale and drawn, sat behind the convener throughout the brief press conference.

Mr Thomaneck refused to answer any questions relating to the actual discussions of yesterday's meeting but stressed they had not discussed the allegations that Dr Oliver was having an affair with a young married mother.

He refused also to say what the financial package was that Dr Oliver had accepted.

Dr Oliver refused to comment as he left the building. It is not known whether he went home but the curtains remain closed and no lights could be seen at his house in Aberdeen's west end.