North Yorkshire police have strongly defended their refusal to publish reports into the handling of the Harrogate sexual discrimination scandal.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan says the reports by Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Colin Bailey cannot be published under the current law.

"Not even the Home Secretary can order their publication. He, like the Chief Constable, is subject to the laws of this country." Mr Kernaghan was responding to calls by Harrogate MP Phil Willis and an Evening Press leading article for the immediate publication of the reports, following revelations in a Sunday newspaper about the way several women were allegedly treated at Harrogate police station by their male colleagues and bosses.

The article claimed that two officers and a civilian administrative employee had been driven out of the force - and to suicidal feelings - by bullying, intimidatory and sexist behaviour.

Mr Kernaghan said he understood the "media thirst" for details of allegations about Harrogate police station in 1993 and 1994. "The facts are that disciplinary action was instituted in accordance with police regulations. The Bailey inquiry dealt not only with the original allegations of misbehaviour but also with the way in which they were investigated."

He said Chief Constable David Kenworthy was committed to completing outstanding disciplinary matters, in liaison with the independent Police Complaints Authority. "The police authority, as the representatives of the public, will then be able to read all of the third Bailey report and comment as they see fit."

But the Government had not yet chosen to allow publication of disciplinary reports. If it decided to do so in future, this would not apply retrospectively to the Bailey reports.

He said the police welcomed constructive criticism of its actions and were ready to acknowledge mistakes.

"However, the constant demands for the force to publish serve no useful purpose and detract from the Chief Constable's ability to "lead his force into a better future."

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