Bully probe cop back at work after legal threat

By GRAHAM GRANT, HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL Published: 16:44, 18 April 2026 | Updated: 16:44, 18 April 2026 A senior officer who was suspended from Police Scotland over bullying claims threatened to take her bosses to court in a bid to be allowed to work again. The Mail can reveal lawyers for Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors, who earns £230,580 a year, planned to launch a judicial review against police chiefs. As a result, they caved in and lifted the suspension, meaning Ms Connors could work for London-based National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). It is understood she is working remotely from Scotland. The number of people – all believed to be in senior positions – who have complained against Ms Connors is ‘between five and 10’, according to sources. Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘Officers and the public must have confidence that standards are upheld consistently and without fear or favour. ‘Scottish ministers cannot ignore growing concerns around accountability in the SNP’s single police force – they must ensure proper oversight and help restore trust.’ Ms Connors is still on the payroll of Police Scotland but not allowed to work directly for the force because of the ongoing probe into the bullying claims. Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors planned to launch a judicial review against police chiefs The situation is believed to have caused huge turmoil within Police Scotland As the Mail revealed last month, she is ‘coordinating and developing business cases and change plans for mounted, marine and specialist dog services across England and Wales’ despite facing multiple allegations over her management style. A source close to the dispute said: ‘Ms Connors’ lawyers threatened legal action against the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) over the suspension which could have included a judicial review. ‘There is huge turmoil at Tulliallan [the corporate headquarters of Police Scotland near Kincardine, Fife].’ Ms Connors, a former Metropolitan Police officer, received taxpayer-funded ‘relocation expenses’ of more than £112,000 to help her move when she got the Police Scotland job in 2023. While she remains the focus of a bullying probe by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), she is working for the NPCC, which ‘brings UK police leaders together to set direction in policing’. Martin Gallagher, a former Police Scotland superintendent, said last month that he found it ‘very concerning that the second most senior officer in Scotland can be suspected of behaviour so serious that they are suspended from duty and is now working on anything that may affect the UK’s strategic approach to policing’. A police source said: ‘It has raised a lot of eyebrows that she is in another policing job despite the ongoing probe.’ Regulations state police are duty-bound to find work for suspended officers wherever possible - as long as there is no conflict with the conduct investigation. A second source said Ms Connors is ‘on attachment to NPCC as they will not allow her back to Tulliallan in case it interferes with the investigation’. The source said the suspension was not lifted ‘because of what the SPA has said, about always looking for alternatives to suspension’. They added: ‘This is why her legal team were taking the SPA to court - because they did not consider any alternatives [which they were required to do], but suspended her.’ The Mail understands the SPA denies that the prospect of legal action was the reason for the suspension being lifted and that it believes it has acted ‘by the book’. The NPCC was contacted for comment. A PIRC spokesman said: ‘We received a referral from the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) on December 8, 2025, regarding the conduct of a senior officer. ‘We will issue our report in due course.’ Police Scotland referred enquiries to the SPA, which said it could not comment on complaint and conduct matters. A spokesman said: ‘Suspension is regularly reviewed to assess whether other options, such as redeployment, provide an appropriate alternative that ensure the integrity of any investigation and satisfy the public interest.’ No comments have so far been submitted. 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