Senior cop in bully row to sue watchdogs over 'illegal probe'

By GRAHAM GRANT, SCOTTISH HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR Published: 18:45, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 18:45, 14 August 2026 A senior officer who is at the centre of a bullying investigation is threatening to launch legal action against police watchdogs over the ‘unlawful’ probe. The Mail can reveal lawyers for Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors, who earns £230,580 a year, plan to launch a judicial review. Ms Connors’ legal team claim she has been denied details of the allegations, adding that they cannot prepare her defence as police bosses have refused to provide her with key documents. They have now given the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) notice that they will launch a judicial review to challenge the lawfulness of the probe – unless the information is disclosed. We revealed in April that Ms Connors had threatened a separate judicial review against her suspension which was then lifted, meaning she could work for the London-based National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). Regulations state police are duty-bound to find work for suspended officers wherever possible – as long as there is no conflict with the conduct investigation. It is understood she is working remotely from Scotland. Ms Connors is still on the payroll of Police Scotland but not allowed to work directly for the force because of the ongoing probe by the Pirc into the bullying claims. She is ‘co-ordinating and developing business cases and change plans for mounted, marine and specialist dog services across England and Wales’. Lawyers for Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors plan to launch a judicial review A source close to the dispute suggested Ms Connors, a former Metropolitan Police officer who got the Police Scotland job in 2023, had been denied access to documents which she hoped would help to clear her name. They said: ‘DCC Connors’ legal team are threatening a judicial review against the SPA and the Pirc for obstructing the right to defence as they have not granted access to her for her documentation and e-mails which [she believes] will be very damaging for those concerned in the complaints against her.’ A second source said Ms Connors had not been given details of the claims against her, meaning she could not respond to the allegations.  They said: ‘Her lawyers say the investigation goes against the principles of natural justice and have written to the SPA and the Pirc to say they will be going to court, as they believe the investigation is unlawful. ‘She hasn’t been told of the detail of the claims – how do you respond to allegations when you don’t know what they are?’ Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said: ‘This is a Kafkaesque mess at the top of Scotland’s police service. ‘If these allegations are serious enough to warrant an investigation, then they must be dealt with properly – but denying someone the basic information needed to defend themselves risks turning due process into a farce. It is completely unacceptable for Scotland’s policing establishment to be distracted by this internal wrangling when the force is already facing huge challenges. ‘SNP ministers must urgently demand answers and ensure their police force is run with the transparency and professionalism the public expect.’ A Pirc spokesman said: ‘We received a referral from the Scottish Police Authority on December 8, 2025, regarding the conduct of a senior officer. We will issue our report in due course.’ The SPA said it could not comment on complaint and conduct matters. The NPCC has also been approached for comment. In May, Justice Secretary Neil Gray said public confidence in policing is being ‘eroded’ by claims that senior officers who are accused of misconduct are getting preferential treatment.