POLICE Scotland was plunged into turmoil after it was confirmed a watchdog has launched a gross misconduct investigation into Chief Constable Phil Gormley.

It is understood a high-level of investigation has been launched after allegations of bullying came from another Police Scotland officer.

The Police Investigations & Review Commissioner has so far given no official indication of what the investigation is however the allegation is serious enough that if proven, could lead to him being fired. 

The Scottish Police Authority passed the details onto PIRC after deciding the misconduct allegation should be investigated.

The development comes less than a week after Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, a man widely tipped be in pole position to replace Mr Gormley after he pipped him to the top job, announced he is to quit the force in the autumn.

Glasgow Times:

Mr Livingstone is not understood to have a new position to go to but is due to leave Scottish policing with a headache for succession planning, say insiders.

He will be replaced by the Scottish Police Authority, the force’s civilian oversight body, which is currently without a permament chairman after Andrew Flannigan said he would stand down earlier this summer.

Mr Flanagan's resignation came amid ongoing controversy over his conduct and wider issues surrounding transparency and governance at the organisation.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson announced a review into the support provided to the SPA board which will “consider how the executive of SPA can best support the board to take informed, transparent decisions”.

Mr Gormley, who was sworn is as the head of Police Scotland just a year-and-a-half ago, and whose contract runs out at the end of next year said: “I am cooperating fully with the PIRC and will provide all necessary assistance to bring this matter to a timely and satisfactory conclusion. In fairness to others who may be involved, it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this time."

Glasgow Times:

Mr Gormley who became only the second Chief Constable since the Scottish police forces merged in 2013, added: “I would like to stress that I remain focussed on leading Police Scotland, ensuring that we continue to serve and protect the people of this country.”

The PIRC said: "Once the investigation is concluded the Commissioner must determine whether, in the investigator's opinion, the senior officer has a case to answer in relation to the misconduct allegation.

"The Commissioner must submit a report to the SPA containing a summary of the evidence and the investigator's opinion on whether the allegation should be referred to a misconduct hearing.

"Where the authority determines that there is a case to answer for either misconduct or gross misconduct, it must refer the misconduct allegation to a misconduct hearing.

"As this is a live investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

The Scottish Police Authority said consideration of complaints and conduct issues "are confidential while being progressed" and the SPA has a police of "not commenting on individual cases".

It has stressed that while passing the case to PIRC, it does not mean they have investigated and found misconduct "but that in our assessment if proven it would amount to misconduct".

The SPA's own complaints handling procedures says that if it is assessed that an allegation against a senior officer if proved "would amount to gross misconduct or misconduct and has to be investigated then they must refer the allegation to PIRC for assessment and, potentially, for investigation".

PIRC, which began the probe after a referral from the Scottish Police Authority, only referred to a "senior officer" in an official statement and would not discuss in general terms what the complaint related to.

Gross misconduct relates to breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, as detailed in the force's senior officer conduct regulations, which is so serious that dismissal may be justified.

At the conclusion of a PIRC probe, it will generally recommend to the SPA whether the allegation should be referred to a misconduct hearing.

The SPA must then decide whether the Chief Constable has a case to answer in respect of misconduct, gross misconduct or neither.

Before moving to Police Scotland, Mr Gormley was Chief Constable fo Norfolk Constabulary for three years where he was the second highest force head in the UK with a salary of £260,000.

He began his policing career 32 years ago as a constable with Thames Valley Police and was promoted to superintendent after 14 years service and ultimately commander with responsibility for the Southern Oxfordshire area.