Police chief saw death in Falklands - book said

Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley has been accused of 'gross misconduct

A chief constable accused of misrepresenting his military service featured in a book which said he saw "colleagues die in the Falklands conflict", a misconduct hearing has been told

Northamptonshire's Chief Constable Nick Adderley, 57, has been accused of "gross misconduct" by exaggerating his achievements while serving with the Royal Navy and implying he "served in the Falklands War".

A misconduct panel was on Thursday told about a book which featured claims that Mr Adderley had a 10-year career with the Royal Navy, served as a lieutenant and saw "colleagues die in the Falklands conflict".

Mr Adderley, who was suspended in October 2023 after a member of the public's complaint came to light, denies that the quotes came from him.

'Full pay'

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Mr Adderley had remained on full pay throughout his suspension - £176,550.

A barrister representing the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) has told a misconduct panel that Mr Adderley claimed he had seen active service during his naval career, had been a military negotiator in Haiti and that he had been a "commander or a lieutenant".

John Beggs KC said those claims were "enormous exaggerations".

He said Mr Adderley was an able seaman before he was discharged after two years' service.

Mr Beggs said Mr Adderley also "allowed or promoted the notion that he served in the Falklands".

He said a South Atlantic Medal, awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands War, that Mr Adderley had worn on several occasions, and claimed was his brother's, was "not believed to be a valid medal".

Mr Adderley denies misconduct and that he acted without integrity, but admits he breached standards in terms of duties and responsibilities.

Nick Adderley denies misconduct and that he acted without integrity

The panel was on Thursday told about two books relating to the killings of two Greater Manchester police constables - Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone - in 2012.

Mr Adderley, a senior officer with Greater Manchester Police at the time, was mentioned in the books, the panel heard.

One, Lured To Their Deaths by journalist John Scheerhout, featured claims that Mr Adderley had a 10-year career with the Royal Navy, served as a lieutenant and saw "colleagues die in the Falklands conflict".

An Extraordinary Sacrifice: The story Of PC Nicola Hughes, written by her father Bryn Hughes, appeared to feature a direct quote from Mr Adderley saying he had "held a senior position in the armed forces and I had been in conflict situations".

Matthew Holdcroft, who represented Mr Adderley, said Mr Adderley had not supplied the direct quotes.

Panel chairman Callum Cowx said panel members would like to hear from the books' authors.

The hearing could end on Friday.