Police boss and ex-Wrexham MP row over findings of investigation into former chief constable

Mr Lucas accused Mr Polin of “misleading” him in relation to the horrific murder of wine bar owner Nicholas Churton, 67.

The former MP used the legal protection of parliament to make the serious accusation against the ex-top cop in the House of Commons.

He also sent the complaint to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones who referred it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The IOPC have now concluded their investigation into the allegation against Mr Polin and concluded there was no evidence to suggest he had behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence.

Former North Wales chief constable Mark Polin

Mr Polin, now chair of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, was chief constable when Jordan Davidson used a machete to brutally murder Mr Churton in his flat in Crescent Close, Wrexham, on March 27, 2017.

At Mold Crown Court, Davidson was convicted of 14 offences, including murder, aggravated burglary and robbery and was sentenced to 23 years and four months in prison.

After a review, the Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and increased it to a 30-year minimum term.

In December 2017, Mr Lucas wrote to Mark Polin, and asked for details of the nature and extent of police contact with Jordan Davidson prior to Mr Churton’s murder.

Wine bar owner Nicholas Churton was brutally murdered by Jordan Davidson in March 2017

Due to an “administrative error” by Mr Polin’s staff who drafted the letter, it referred to the police contact with Davidson and said it was not possible to provide Mr Lucas with any information due to the ongoing IOPC investigation.

The IOPC report states: “No evidence has been brought to my attention which would indicate that former CC Polin made a deliberate attempt to mislead Mr Lucas, to the contrary, the evidence suggests Mr Polin was conscientious in chasing the draft response one working day after receiving Mr Lucas’ letter.”

It adds however that while the investigation found no evidence that Mr Polin deliberately sought to mislead Mr Lucas, “given the evidence, it does appear that former CC Polin inadvertently provided inaccurate statements to Mr Lucas.”

Former Wrexham MP Ian Lucas

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “Once I received the complaint I took action immediately and referred the allegation to the IOPC so that it could be investigated thoroughly and independently.

“I am now calling on Ian Lucas to accept the findings of the investigation and acknowledge that the allegation against Mark Polin was groundless.”

However Mr Lucas disagreed and said he didn’t accept Mr Polin had been exonerated.

He said he felt the report made it clear he had been misled by Mr Polin, and that he had received an apology from Mr Polin over the matter.

Arfon Jones, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

Mr Lucas said: “The report is badly flawed and I am disturbed that Arfon Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner, thinks that this report exonerates the police - it is his job to hold the police to account, which he has failed to do.”

He said the terms of reference of the investigation had changed from whether he was misled, to whether he was misled deliberately, adding: “The allegation was that he misled me, and he did. To describe it as an administrative error is a disgrace.

“I think the report is a deeply disturbing whitewashing and I am very unhappy with the IOPC.

“It is even more disturbing that the Police and Crime Commissioner is spinning it in this way.”

Following Mr Lucas’ concerns, Mr Jones added: “I am disappointed that Mr Lucas is adopting such a cavalier attitude towards such an important issue.

“It was in everybody’s interests that this particular investigation was conducted thoroughly so that the truth could be established.

“While there was an administrative error that was beyond Mark Polin’s control, the report has demonstrated without question that he personally did absolutely nothing wrong and did not deliberately mislead anybody.

“It is very regrettable Mr Lucas appears to be pursuing a personal vendetta against the former chief constable and impugning his integrity with such distasteful relish.”

“ For Mr Lucas to put the IOPC report into the public domain whilst they are still to conclude their second investigation into the murder of Mr Churton is entirely inappropriate. Whilst Mr Lucas continues to question the conduct of Mr Polin and other officers of North Wales Police, I would suggest he reflects on his own behaviour.

“I would ask Mr Lucas, having already received an apology from Mr Polin, what conclusion is he actually seeking in this matter?”