PC guide author suspended

The force has confirmed the suspension

A civilian officer who wrote a guide to political correctness has been suspended by a police force for allegedly sexually harassing four women colleagues at a party.

John Williamson, 34, has been suspended from his post as deputy director of press and public affairs with Greater Manchester Police while an investigation takes place.

During his 18 months in the job he launched a 16-page guide called The Power of Language, which advised the force's 7,000 officers to avoid sexually-overt terms of endearment such as "love", "pet" and "dear".

Mr Williamson said: "I was one of a team of 25 people who helped launch the guide."

Many officers were angered by the document when it was issued last September.

'Professional image'

It tells officers: "Remember that your general demeanour and body language can give just as clear an impression of you and of the force as the things you say or write.

"We are committed to maintaining the dignity of everyone with whom we come into contact and to promoting a professional and positive image of the force."

Mr Williamson is on indefinite paid leave as claims by four women are investigated.

They arise from a Christmas party which began at a Chinese restaurant in Manchester.

A police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a member of the press and public relations department has been suspended. An investigation is under way."