No watchdog inquiry into force

The home secretary has decided not to ask Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to investigate two controversial internal inquiries by Cumbria Police.

Instead, a senior police officer from Wales will lead a review of the misconduct inquiries.

One three-year internal inquiry, which cost around £200,000, recommended no further action against nine officers.

The costly investigation collapsed in May after three years, when a tribunal panel threw out 104 charges against nine officers.

The investigation, which involved the alleged misuse of police vehicles, began in June 2000.

All reinstated

Five constables, two sergeants, an inspector and a chief inspector were implicated.

One officer was suspended briefly at the start of the inquiry and all were moved to non-operational duties while the investigations took place.

All have been reinstated and no further action has been taken. The other investigation cleared a superintendent of allegations of misconduct.

A review of the two cases will now be carried out by the Assistant Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Constabulary Barry Taylor. It is likely to take several weeks.

There were concerns over the scale of the inquiries and the length of time they took.