THE disciplinary hearing of a head of a police standards unit accused of ‘meddling’ in investigations of colleagues has been delayed after new evidence came to light.

Superintendent Bev Gill is facing allegations that she failed to act on information made against a colleague about his sexual impropriety with young officers before ‘tipping’ him off about the investigation.

The allegations involved Detective Inspector Simon Hurwood, who has since resigned after his behaviour towards more than 20 women came to light.

And on another occasion she is said to have become embroiled in an investigation into another officer who lied about how he suffered facial injuries after being assaulted when it was revealed he was having an affair.

The officer, who was a key member of Cleveland Police’s professional standards team at the time, was due to answer the charges last week but a last-minute application to adjourn the hearing was put forward by the force’s legal team.

The Northern Echo: Superintendent Bev GillSuperintendent Bev Gill

Disciplinary panel chairwoman, Shamaila Qureshi, agreed to the force’s application and adjourned the hearing for three months to enable the 500-pages of new evidence to be assessed.

The first listing of the hearing into her alleged behaviour was suspended last Wednesday after the new evidence came to light as part of a separate employment tribunal involving the force.

Outlining her decision, she said it was in the public interest that the evidence should be tested but she had taken into account the impact a delay could have on Supt Gill.

She said: "There has been no opportunity to fully explore the content and nature of the newly disclosed material."

The senior officer, who was suspended for almost three years, categorically denies any wrong-doing and believes she has been ‘targeted’ by Cleveland Police so they can make an ‘example of her’.

Hugh Davies QC, representing Supt Gill, told the panel chairwoman that a further delay was unacceptable as the three-year wait had weighed heavily on his client’s shoulders.

Speaking last week, he said: “Superintendent Gill produced medical evidence showing the history and process of the investigation had caused her post traumatic stress disorder and the treatment for this cannot start until the proceedings are ended.”

Stephen Morley, representing Cleveland Police, had argued that if an adjournment wasn't agreed then the force would not be in a position to proceed with the hearing and the case would collapse.

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