Inquest on police chief resumes

A separate police inquiry will be held into the death of Michael Todd

The inquest into police chief Michael Todd's death is due to reopen, but it will not examine his private life.

The Greater Manchester chief constable's body was found near the top of Wales' highest mountain, Snowdon.

A search was launched in March after the married 50-year-old sent "worrying" text messages to various people.

North-west Wales coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones said last week that Mr Todd's private life was a matter for the West Midlands Police inquiry.

When the inquest was opened and adjourned in March, it heard there were no injuries on Mr Todd's body.

Mr Todd, 50, a married father-of-three, was fully, although lightly, clothed.

The hearing at Llangefni, Anglesey, was told Mr Todd's body had contained 105mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood - above the legal limit for driving of 80 mg.

Witnesses

Mr Pritchard-Jones said he would hear medical evidence to "allay suspicion and fears" about Mr Todd's death and dismissed the blood alcohol readings as "not a huge amount".

He was also told there was no evidence Mr Todd had jumped or fallen as there were no external or internal injuries or scuff marks on his "sturdy" mountain boots.

The inquest at Gwynedd council offices in Caernarfon is expected to hear from about a dozen witnesses, including Mr Todd's police force colleagues.

The chief constable lived in Nottinghamshire with his wife, Carolyn, 47, and their teenage daughter and twin sons.

Mr Todd, who had been tipped as a future Metropolitan Police commissioner, was appointed chief constable in Greater Manchester, England's third largest force, in October 2002.

He had been a police officer since joining Essex Police in 1976.