Briggs hits back in police expenses row (From York Press)

Adam Briggs hits back in police expenses row

3:35pm Sunday 12th February 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

A FORMER deputy chief constable who faced an investigation over his expenses has branded the inquiry “vindictive”.

Adam Briggs was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over allegations he claimed £11,700 for personal development training from North Yorkshire Police despite already receiving a £31,600 allowance to cover private medical insurance and personal development training since taking up his post in 2007.

The IPCC’s report said it was unacceptable for the authority to give Mr Briggs more than £30,000 without auditing how the money was spent.

It added it was disappointed that Mr Briggs, who retired last year, had not so-operated with its inquiry.

But Mr Briggs said: “The issues contained in the IPCC release were all closely examined by the chief constable and the ethics of the standards committee of the North Yorkshire Police Authority, who are the appropriate bodies.

“They were examined in detail in 2009 and 2010 when I answered every question asked of me, acknowledged I had made a minor administrative error in a procurement process that was new to me and I listened to the advice.

“I regard the IPCC inquiry as a vindictive act and I was not prepared to be a party to it as the appropriate bodies had already concluded no further action was required.”