Gwent Police Chief Inspector appeals against dismissal for 'inappropriate conversations' with junior police staff

A Gwent Police officer who was found to have committed gross misconduct has appealed against the decision.

Chief inspector Paul Staniforth was dismissed in September alongside Chief Superintendent Marc Budden. Former Chief Superintendent Mark Warrender was also have found to have committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed, but he retired on September 2, 2022 just days before he would have been dismissed (after being suspended for three years).

Both Budden and Warrender had both been suspended on full pay since the summer of 2019 and it’s estimated they have received a combined gross total of at least £500,000 during this time. It is unknown whether Staniforth had been suspended.

To get our free daily briefing on the biggest issues affection the nation, Wales Matters, click here

The transgressions committed by Staniforth were:

Inappropriate conversation with a more junior member of police staff at a police social event.

Failing to challenge and report the improper behaviour of the others who were engaging in the conversation set out above.

Gwent Police has been under intense pressure in recent weeks after the horrific revelations from the Whatsapp messages of a deceased officer. They showed officers sharing racist, sexist, and misogynistic messages.

Marc Budden, who was found to have committed gross misconduct by failing to challenge and report the improper behaviour of the others, holding up a sign saying he will never remain silent about men's violence against women in all its forms in 2014 (Gwent Police)

Mark Warrender, who was found to have committed gross misconduct by inappropriately touched a woman, hold up a sign saying he will not be a bystander to bullying (Gwent Police)

Police and crime commissioner for Gwent Police Jeff Cuthbert has been under pressure given it is his job to hold the force to account. You can read an interview with Mr Cuthbert here.

In a statement the office of PPC confirmed it was Staniforth who had appealed against his dismissal. A spokesman said: "I can confirm that an appeal has been made by Paul Staniforth. In accordance with Police Appeals Tribunal rules the matter has been referred to a Police Appeals Tribunal. The original decision by John Bassett, the Legally Qualified Chair of the original misconduct hearing, regarding the privacy of this hearing, still applies and we cannot provide any further details.

"The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has a legal, procedural and administrative role in this process and as such we will not be able to comment further."

READ NEXT:

• Eight people admit taking part in violent disturbance at Morriston Cemetery

• Driver caused horrific injuries to passenger when she drove at 80mph and crashed onto beach

• Woman lured ex-partner to isolated spot before attacking her with a hammer

• An "immature and insecure" bodybuilder with a history of abusing partners hid tracking devices on an ex's car so he could monitor her movements

• Driver tried to avoid paying road tax by altering number plate with black tape