BREAKING NEWS THURSDAY 1.30PM: Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes has today had his suspension from duty thrown out by a judge.
The decision to suspend Mr Rhodes by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick has been described as “irrational” and “perverse” by the judge after a hearing at the Administrative Court in Manchester on Wednesday.
Mr Rhodes was suspended almost five weeks ago over alleged potential conduct matters and an investigation by Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy was started on March 14.
Lawyers for Mr Rhodes told the judge on Wednesday that Mr Rhodes’ suspension was “unlawful and irrational,” accusing Mr Hardwick of overreacting to allegations about the Chief Constable’s support for a senior lawyer from West Yorkshire Police over claims of racial discrimination.
It is not yet known whether or when Mr Rhodes will return to his role as Chief Constable which was due to be reviewed by the Police and Crime Commissioner this month.