Starmer backs sanctions for 'stolen valour' offence

Nick Adderley was found guilty of gross misconduct at a hearing last week

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says "there needs to be sanctions" for the offence of "stolen valour" after a police chief was dismissed for gross misconduct.

A panel upheld allegations that the former Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, Nick Adderley, lied and exaggerated his naval rank, length of service and achievements.

In the light of the case, veterans have called for changes in the law to make it a criminal offence to wear medals without the right to do so.

Sir Keir was speaking during a visit to Kettering ahead of the general election on 4 July.

Asked if there should be further sanctions against Mr Adderley, he said: "Stolen valour is really serious.

"It really impacts those who have served, it impacts all of us, but particularly those of us who have served."

Mr Adderley faced a disciplinary panel last week after claims emerged that he wore medals he was not entitled to display

Sir Keir added: "There does need to be sanctions, the force [Northamptonshire Police] in the first instance needs to decide what the sanctions are."

He said: "Do I think there should be sanctions? Yes, I do.

"It goes to the police and crime commissioner and possibly up to the home secretary, so we will see what the process yields."

The Conservative Party has also been approached for a comment on their stance.

The allegations against Mr Adderley came to light when doubt was cast over the Falklands War medal that the former chief constable had worn on his uniform since 2009, despite only being 15 at the time of the conflict.

He denied gross misconduct and that he acted "without honesty and integrity".

Last Thursday, his gross misconduct hearing was told that "lies are flowing" from the mouth of Northamptonshire's top police officer.

In his closing statement, John Beggs KC said Mr Adderley had lied about reaching the rank of lieutenant in the military and that he was a military negotiator in Haiti in the 1980s.

• Commissioner asks how lying police chief got job

The misconduct hearing, which Mr Adderley did not attend, heard he "built military naval legend that wasn't true".

The panel, chaired by Callum Cowx, who served in the Royal Navy, the Army and the police, found all allegations against Mr Adderley proven.

In a post on X, Sir Peter Fahy, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said he was "baffled" by Mr Adderley's conduct.

He wrote: "I worked with Nick Adderley in two forces [and] as other posts have shown he was very well liked by his staff and the public and good at his job.

"I worry what policing does to some people."