Senior Greater Manchester Police officer accused of sexual harassment

The IOPC is assessing an allegation of misconduct by a senior police officer

A senior police officer has been suspended from duty following allegations of sexual harassment, the police watchdog has said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had received a referral from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) over allegations about an unnamed high-ranking officer.

It said it was assessing information to see if any further action was required.

GMP confirmed a senior officer had been suspended over a misconduct claim.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: "Following an allegation of misconduct, a senior officer has been suspended from duty and referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for investigation into their standards of professional behaviour."

An IOPC spokesperson said: "We have received a conduct referral from Greater Manchester Police in relation to allegations of sexual harassment by a senior officer.

"We will now assess the available information to determine if any further action is required from us."