‘Answers needed’ in harassment probe

Coun Peter Gibson said he was “astonished” to learn a complaint had been passed to the police watchdog over the conduct of Dept PCC for Lancashire Ibrahim Master, who insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

The referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) relates to an ongoing police investigation into alleged harassment.

It comes as the IPCC is already investigating PCC Clive Grunshaw over alleged irregularities in his expenses claims from his time as a county councillor.

Coun Gibson, a member of Lancashire’s Police and Crime Panel, said he will be asking questions at the next meeting on Monday.

He said: “We have got two complaints about the commissioner and one about the deputy – it has got to be sorted out. I suspect the culture within the commissioner’s office needs to be looked at.”