Officer to face disciplinary over Manchester Arena Inquiry evidence

Ch Insp Dale Sexton was the force duty officer in the control room on the night of the attack

A police officer who was on control room duty during the Manchester Arena attack faces a disciplinary hearing over evidence he gave to an inquiry.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said Ch Insp Dale Sexton would not face a hearing but changed its position after a Victims' Right To Review (VRR).

It will probe if he breached police standards of professional behaviour.

The watchdog said Ch Insp Sexton will not face criminal charges.

The IOPC had initially decided Ch Insp Sexton had no misconduct case to answer, but a second decision maker with no connection to the original investigation said there there was enough evidence the officer may have breached police standards of professional behaviour.

GMP will now arrange disciplinary proceedings into the now-retired officer.

Twenty-two people were killed in the May 2017 bombing

IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said: "Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this horrific act of terror.

"Nothing can make up for the suffering endured by so many as a result of events that night.

"This was a highly complex and challenging investigation.

"In circumstances like these, thorough scrutiny - both of the police, and our own decision-making, through our Victims' Right to Review process - is essential to allow the public to have confidence in the police complaints process.

"Ultimately, we found sufficient evidence to indicate the officer may have breached the standards of professional behaviour when subsequently giving accounts of their decision making on the night of the attack.

"It will now be for a police disciplinary panel to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all the available information."

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