Gwent Police: Senior Tory says 'deep rot' in force

A senior Welsh Tory has told the Home Secretary Suella Braverman he fears there is a deep "rot" in a police force hit by allegations of misogyny, racism and homophobia.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies has written to the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, asking her to intervene at Gwent Police.

But the Home Office says it is unable to put the force into special measures as Mr Davies requested.

Gwent Police was asked for comment.

On Tuesday it said it was taking "robust action".

The Home Office said it was His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), and not the home secretary, that had powers to put police forces into special measures.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Liberal Democrats called for a "full inquiry" into misconduct in the force and questioned whether the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, should remain in post.

Chief Constable Pam Kelly has said the force is "horrified by the comments and material shared by retired officers and a small number of serving officers".

Mr Davies is the only Welsh politician to have criticised the leadership of the force - the Welsh Conservatives said on Tuesday that he had no confidence in Ms Kelly as chief constable.

He has said the same of Labour's Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert.

Wiltshire Police was asked to investigate after a device owned by a retired officer who took his own life revealed a series of messages that were reportedly misogynistic, racist, homophobic and suggested corruption.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said it is assessing material from both Gwent and Wiltshire police forces.

In a letter to the home secretary Mr Davies said: "I know there will be many people across Gwent, especially women, who also lack confidence in the senior leadership to stamp out this culture.

"I am writing to ask you to consider placing the force into special measures. I fear the rot may be so deep that the force needs to be rebuilt in order to give confidence to the public and the majority of decent officers and staff in Gwent Police."

He referred to an interview with Emma - the daughter of the retired officer at the centre of the investigation, Rick Jones - who said she did not trust the police.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and Senedd member Jane Dodds said: "Trust in the force has clearly been undermined to a point where a full independent inquiry is required.

"The failure to tackle this appalling behaviour on the part of some officers is failing the public and the majority of brave police who put their lives at risk to keep us all safe.

"It has also not yet been made clear whether Labour's Police and Crime Commissioner [PCC], Jeff Cuthbert, was aware of any of these allegations before the story broke in the Times. If not, how was he able to oversee a force with such serious problems without being aware?

"It is difficult to see how he should remain in post."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Police forces must root out officers and staff who do not meet acceptable standards of behaviour to restore the public's trust, which has been shattered by recent high-profile events.

"The Home Office plays an active role in pushing for changes, including by establishing the Angiolini Inquiry which is looking at issues around police culture and the safety of women, as well as announcing a targeted review of police dismissals to ensure the system can remove officers who are not fit to serve.

"HMICFRS are responsible for deciding whether to put a police force into engage, sometimes referred to as special measures, not the Home Office."

Jeff Cuthbert said: "These messages, which date back a number of years, only came to the attention of Gwent Police when they were reported in the Sunday Times.

"This is also the first time I was aware of them. An independent investigation is now underway and if serving police officers are found to be guilty of wrongdoing they will be dealt with appropriately. As Commissioner I have no formal part in this investigation."

He said it was "unhelpful" to criticise Gwent Police for failing to act on something it did not have prior knowledge on, and said Ms Kelly had his full confidence."