FOI Request:
Could the Cleveland PCC please explain the current situation regarding the tribunal for Cleveland’s ex-Chief Constable Mike Veale?
My understanding is that the then Cleveland PCC referred a matter of serious concern regarding Mr Veale while he was Chief Constable to the IOPC in February 2019. The IOPC then prepared a report, which was received by the Cleveland PCC in January/February 2021. On the basis of that report the Cleveland PCC decided in August 2021 that the matter should go forward to a full tribunal, which the Cleveland PCC has responsibility for setting up.
Could you confirm my understanding of the chronology above, or correct any errors and fill in any gaps in my understanding?
Could you tell me when the tribunal is going ahead?
Could you explain the status of the tribunal and the rules under which it is governed?
Could you tell me the actual charges that Mr Veale faces?
Could you explain why it has taken so long for this matter to get to this stage? If my chronology is correct, it is now well over 3 years since the original referral to IOPC?
Could you provide a copy of the report prepared by the IOPC on Mr Veale, or, if the report is currently private, can you tell me when it will be published? If it will never be made public, can you please explain why?
Have you had any interaction with Rupert Matthews, PCC of Leicestershire, at any point concerning Mr Veale or this tribunal. If you have, please describe the nature and content of the interaction.
OPCC Response:
Question 1
In accordance with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012, Mr Veale has been referred to a misconduct hearing to be chaired by an independent Legally Qualified Chair. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.
Question 2
Any information we may or may not hold relating to the chronology you have provided is part of misconduct proceedings and therefore they remain exempt under Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act. This limits what I am able to provide in response to this question, however, I have provided what I can below:
The then-Cleveland PCC referred a matter of serious concern regarding Mr Veale whilst he was Chief Constable of Cleveland Police to the IOPC in February 2019.
The IOPC then prepared a report, which was received by the then-Acting Cleveland PCC in January 2021. On the basis of that report and in line with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012, the Acting Cleveland PCC made a determination in that a misconduct hearing would be required.
A date for this hearing has not been set.
Questions 3
A date for the hearing has not been set. Once a date is set, information about the hearing will be published on the Cleveland OPCC website in accordance with the relevant regulatory requirements.
Question 4
The hearing will be held in accordance with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012and chaired by an independent Legally Qualified Chair. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.
Question 5
A broad definition of the allegations facing Mr Veale have been disclosed by the IOPC. In their press release dated 1st February 2019, they state:
“The nature of the alleged conduct can be broadly summarised as: alleged inappropriate behaviour towards colleagues, discrimination, and unprofessional behaviour.”
Any recorded information relating to the specific allegations, should Cleveland OPCC hold any, will be exempt under Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act, as it would relate to ongoing misconduct proceedings.
Question 6
I am unable to provide a response to this question as any relating information is exempt under Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act, as it relates to ongoing proceedings.
Question 7
I am unable to provide a response to this question as any relating information is exempt under Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act, as it relates to ongoing proceedings.
Question 8
I can confirm that Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner has not had any interaction with Mr Matthews concerning Mr Veale or the misconduct hearing. I can confirm that a small amount of email correspondence has taken place between the Commissioner’s Office in Cleveland and Mr Matthew’s office in Leicestershire.