Cheshire police chief accused of being like Darth Vader cleared of misconduct following bullying claims

Simon Byrne was compared to Star Wars villain at misconduct hearing

Mr Byrne was suspended in 2017 (Cheshire Constabulary)

A former police chief who was compared to Darth Vader and suspended over allegations of bullying has been cleared of misconduct.

Simon Byrne, 55, was suspended from the top role at Cheshire Police last year after being accused of “bullying and belittling” staff.

Some 72 separate allegations were made against Mr Byrne. A misconduct hearing held in Warrington earlier this year was told he had a reputation for being like the Star Wars villain, and that he treated junior officers and staff like “roadkill”.

However, at Warrington Town Hall on Tuesday, Cheshire Police and crime commissioner David Keane announced that the panel had found no allegations of misconduct or gross misconduct were proved against Mr Byrne.

His contract as chief constable has expired since his suspension.

Gerry Boyle QC, representing Mr Byrne, said the panel found the proceedings against the former chief constable “could and should have been avoided”.

Mr Byrne was accused of breaching standards of professional behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

The hearing was told he handed pictures of Dad’s Army characters to officers after he became angry when flooding made him late for work in an incident dubbed “floodgate”.

He was also accused of displaying daily mood swings for a fortnight after his application for the post of chief constable of Greater Manchester Police was rejected in 2015.

During his evidence to the hearing, Mr Byrne denied bullying staff.

He said: “It was never my intention to cause people worry or upset.”

Afterwards, he said: “I am very pleased to have been totally exonerated of any wrongdoing, despite the police and crime commissioner trying to throw the book at me.

“All the allegations against me have been rejected ... This whole affair has been an ordeal for all parties that has gone on too long and wasted precious public money scrutinising my conduct when leading what Mr Keane has described himself as a high performance force.”

He added: “In some ways, it still feels like upside down justice as I have lost my vocation after 35 years of public service.

“Nonetheless, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fantastic men and women I have had the privilege to work alongside in four police forces over nearly four decades of my life.”

Mr Byrne moved from the Metropolitan Police to take up the top role at the Cheshire force in 2014.

Janette McCormick has been acting chief constable at Cheshire Police since Mr Byrne’s suspension last year.

Additional reporting by Press Association