MORE than 50 people have been quizzed over allegations that a police chief, who played a key role investigating Princess Diana’s death, made “inappropriate advances” to staff.
The car crash death of Princess Diana, left, in 1997 was probed by Nick Gargan, right, [GETTY / PA]It is alleged as the £148,000-a-year head of Avon and Somerset Police, he “abused his senior position by making inappropriate advances to more junior female members of staff”.
Those questioned have provided “information and intelligence” over Mr Gargan, 47, who was suspended last month after two people made official complaints against him on behalf of other women.
The investigation centres on allegations that he abused his senior position by making inappropriate advances to more junior female members of staff over a period of time. The allegations were originally raised by two members of staf
Mr Gargan, who worked for the now defunct National Criminal Intelligence Service, was at the heart of the investigation into the car crash which also claimed the lives of Diana’s boyfriend Dodi Fayed and their chauffeur Henri Paul.
He was made a chief constable in March last year.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed that the 50 people spoken to by the inquiry team so far are not complainants.
Mr Gargan denies behaving inappropriately and has yet to be interviewed.
He was suspended by Sue Mountstevens, Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner who appointed him as chief constable.
An IPCC spokeswoman said yesterday: “The IPCC investigation into the conduct of Nick Gargan is continuing.
“The investigation centres on allegations that he abused his senior position by making inappropriate advances to more junior female members of staff over a period of time.
“The allegations were originally raised by two members of staff.
“Over 50 individuals from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, have provided information and intelligence to the IPCC and have been spoken to.
“Mr Gargan has been served with a gross misconduct notice and we would anticipate that he will be interviewed by investigators once the information we have gathered has been analysed.”
Mr Gargan, who joined Leicestershire Police in 1988, is regarded as a rising star in the force. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2012 New Year’s Honours List.
Earlier this year, he criticised leading crime novelists for their portrayal of the police and urged them to create more balanced and sober characters than hard-drinking mavericks.
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