Gwent Police officer suspended over sexual assault claim

Ch Supt Mark Warrender (left) and Ch Supt Marc Budden (right) have both been suspended by Gwent Police

Two senior police officers have been suspended after one of them was accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

Avon and Somerset Police is investigating the alleged assault, said to have happened in Cardiff on 28 June.

BBC Wales has been told Gwent Police officers Ch Supt Mark Warrender and Ch Supt Marc Budden have been suspended.

One is over the alleged assault, the other over an allegation of misconduct in public office. It is not yet known what each man has been accused of.

Until recently, Ch Supt Budden was listed on the Gwent Police website as temporary assistant chief constable.

Last year, the website also listed Ch Supt Warrender as head of professional standards.

'Providing support'

Avon and Somerset Police said: "We're carrying out an investigation into an allegation of a criminal offence made against a serving officer at Gwent Police. The officer has been suspended while this investigation is carried out.

"Alongside this, our professional standards department are conducting an investigation into allegations of misconduct against other serving officers at Gwent Police.

"This investigation has resulted in a second officer being suspended."

Both investigations are being managed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The Police Superintendents' Association confirmed it was "providing support" to one of its members as part of the investigation.

The force employs five chief superintendents and 10 superintendents.