Scotland police chief apologises for ‘taxi ride’ from on-duty officer
Chief Constable Jo Farrell was picked up at Edinburgh’s Waverley station after finding there were train cancellations Scotland’s new police chief has apologised after forcing an on-duty officer to give her a “taxpayer-funded taxi ride” to her home in England. Chief Constable Jo Farrell arranged for a car to take her from Edinburgh to her home in Northumberland last month after Storm Babet caused widespread cancellation[1] to train services.
An officer was taken away from other duties to take his new boss on the 120-mile journey, meaning they were out of action during their shift for around six hours. The Scottish Sun also reported that she was accompanied by a senior male colleague from Durham Constabulary, the force she previously led[2], who was dropped off at his home in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. The incident was said to have happened on the evening of Oct 20, only 11 days after she started work as Police Scotland’s chief constable.
It is understood she was picked up at Edinburgh’s Waverley station after finding there were widespread train cancellations. She is living in the city while she looks for a permanent home in Scotland.
‘Error of judgment’
Ms Farrell, 55, said: “I requested my office to arrange for a car to drive me home to the Northumberland area after work. “I was unable to complete the journey by train as services had been cancelled and my own police vehicle was unavailable.
I have apologised for this error of judgment.” The force recently warned it could be forced to shed 2,000 jobs and close 30 stations thanks to SNP funding cuts. It refused to rule out expanding the controversial pilot in the north east of Scotland, whereby some crimes are not investigated, thanks to a lack of resources.
Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory justice spokesman, said: “This is a concerning start to the new chief’s tenure and while her apology is welcome, it is important that the [Scottish Police Authority] establishes the full facts of this incident. “Hard-working frontline officers who put themselves in danger every day are already feeling the impact of SNP cuts, and expect the chief to lead by example.” Story continues
A Police Scotland insider told the Scottish Daily Mail: “A lot of ordinary cops will think she has shown some cheek given the scale of cuts police are facing – this isn’t the time to be taking a taxpayer-funded taxi ride.” A spokesman for the Scottish Police Authority, the force’s watchdog, said: “The authority is aware the chief constable used a police vehicle following the cancellation of a scheduled train journey. “The chair has discussed this with the chief constable who has apologised.
The authority considers the matter closed.” Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism.
Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just £9 with our US-exclusive offer.[3]
References
- ^ Storm Babet caused widespread cancellation (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Durham Constabulary, the force she previously led (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism.
Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just £9 with our US-exclusive offer.
(secure.telegraph.co.uk)