Grahame Maxwell: No confidence motion rejected

Grahame Maxwell gave a relative an unfair advantage in a police recruitment drive

A motion of no confidence in the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police has been rejected by county councillors.

Grahame Maxwell was given a final written warning after he admitted gross misconduct in helping a relative during a recruitment drive.

Members of the Conservative-led North Yorkshire County Council voted against the motion put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor Geoff Webber.

The inquiry into the misconduct claims cost the taxpayer £200,000.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission also revealed the investigation cost them £100,000.

The Labour leader of York City Council, James Alexander, and the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, Julian Smith, have previously called for Mr Maxwell to resign.

'Traumatic period'

The investigation earlier this year found that Mr Maxwell helped a relative gain unfair advantage in a police recruitment drive for 60 jobs.

He also admitted assisting a member of his extended family and a relative of his deputy, Adam Briggs.

Mr Briggs was found at a hearing in December to have helped a relative get a job during the recruitment exercise when he received "management advice". He has since retired.

Speaking publicly after the investigation, Mr Maxwell said it had been a "traumatic period" in his life.

"It's a period which thankfully has come to an end and realistically it's one of those things that it's time to be put behind me and for me to move on and do the job I love, which is being chief constable of North Yorkshire Police."