The police chief who was caught out wearing a Falklands War medal despite only being 15 at the time of the conflict is facing further pressure to resign after new images called his explanation into question.
Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley, 57, who was once tipped for a top job at the Met, is now being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The police chief has been previously described in press releases and an interview with online police magazine Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran with ten years of experience in the Navy.
But after it was pointed out he was 15 at the time and being accused of ‘misleading’ the public, Chief Constable Adderley said he was given the South Atlantic Medal by his older brother when he emigrated to Australia.
The ‘stolen valour’ allegations show no sign of abating, however, as the Sun reports fresh photos now purport to show Adderley’s brother Rick wearing the medal while in Australia in 2020, seven years after Adderley claims it was given to him.
Chief Constable Nick Adderley, 57, has been previously described in press releases and an interview with online police magazine Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran
A photo from 2020 appears to show brother Rick wearing his Falklands medal – despite Adderley claiming he was given it in 2013
Rick Adderley, 59, was 18 at the time of the Falklands War and served in the Royal Navy before joining Australia’s Queensland Police in 2013.
Photos from a ceremony in which he collected a bravery award in 2020 appear to show him wearing the same medal the Chief Constable claims was given to him.
His brother, the £165,000-per-year police chief, initially defended himself saying he is ‘very proud of his Cadet, Royal Navy and Police Service’ and that he also wears medals awarded to his brothers.
‘I wear all my medals with pride and have always worn the two medals my brothers gave me to wear when one became critically ill and one emigrated, alongside my own.
‘Having been made aware of this complaint, which has a private family impact upon me personally, I immediately took advice last week regarding the protocol and have changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn.
‘I look forward to providing the IOPC with a fulsome response at the earliest opportunity and I fully appreciate that they have a job to do.’
The police watchdog is looking into allegations of potential misrepresentation of his military service, as well as communications with the commissioner. The probe could lead to him being hauled in front of a misconduct hearing.
The married father-of-two is featured in photos which show him wearing the medal at a string of events over the years, including the Police Bravery Awards this July.
‘Stolen Valour’ is the term commonly applied to the act of wearing military medals or decorations that have not been earned with the intent to deceive.
It is not an offence in the UK for individuals to wear medals or decorations that they were not awarded – but it is an offence to wear a military medal without permission, according to the UK Parliament’s briefing on Stolen Valour.
The Chief Constable is seen wearing the South Atlantic Medal at an official police event
Adderley has worn the medal to multiple events over the years since his brother’s emigration
Adderley pictured at the funeral for PC Nicola Hughes in October 2012
Constable Adderley pinned the 1982 campaign medal to his chest – despite not joining the Royal Navy until two years later
Chief Constable Adderley is understood to have enlisted in the Navy in 1984 aged 18 – two years after the Falklands War ended. He was in the cadets from the age of 15.
The Sun reported that a Northamptonshire Police press release stated he served 10 years in the Navy, including in the 1982 Falklands War. The release has since been deleted.
But an article on Police Oracle repeated the claims: ‘He is as enthusiastic now about policing as when he joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1992 after being in the Royal Navy for ten years, during which time he served in the Falklands War.’
It has now been claimed Adderley actually joined the Navy in 1984, having been in the cadets since 15, and left in 1986, and that he served as an enlisted sailor rather than an officer.
The Sun also spoke with a former colleague of Adderley, Robert Gallagher MBE, who said the policeman told him he fought on an aircraft carrier in the Falklands War.
Mr Gallagher, who is a senior forensic officer with 24 years experience in the police, noticed is said to have noticed the medal at a ceremony in 2014.
He told the paper: ‘I noticed he had a Falklands medal, as I have, and asked him who he served with down south. He said Royal Navy and he was on a carrier.
‘At no time did he say it was his brother’s and I am 100 per cent certain of that, otherwise I’d have picked him up on why he was wearing it.’
Tom Herring, chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association, told MailOnline that Adderley must have been aware of the rules around service medals, and the tradition of wearing medals of loved ones on the opposite side of the chest.
He said: ‘He should have known better. Everyone in the armed forces knows campaign medals awarded to someone else should not be worn on the left–hand side.’
He has also been pictured wearing a General Service Medal with a Northern Ireland clasp, despite never serving in the country. It is thought the medal belongs to his other brother Dave, 53.
The IOPC reportedly launched its probe after receiving a tip-off from the local Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner.
Chief Constable Adderley was previously referred to the IOPC after the death of Harry Dunn, 19, who was struck while riding his motorcycle by a car driven by US citizen Anne Sacoolas, who then fled the country.
Adderley described the family’s spokesperson as a ‘problem’ and posted on Twitter describing their legal battles: ‘How sad but how predictable’.
Two months later he apologised to the family.
The married father of two, 57, (left) is now being investigated by the police watchdog for wearing the medals at various events
British soldiers during the Falklands Conflict in June 1982, at which time Nick Adderley would have been 15
He also sparked a backlash after he said officers may have to search shopping trolleys during the Covid lockdown if the public flout the rules.
Chief Constable Adderley warned that police could soon have to snoop on shoppers or impose road blocks to check people were leaving their homes for only essential reasons.
The Northamptonshire Police chief claimed the public had enjoyed a ‘three-week grace period’ and said his force will now be issuing £60 fines and arresting those caught outside without a good reason.
He said: ‘We will not, at this stage, be setting up road blocks.
‘We will not, at this stage, start to marshal supermarkets and check the items in baskets and trolleys to see whether it’s a necessary item.
‘But be under no illusion, if people do not heed the warnings and the pleas I’m making today, we will start to do that.’
After his comments, Chief Constable Adderley came under pressure from the National Police Chiefs Council, which issued a press release saying: ‘The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police has clarified his earlier statement about police checking people’s shopping, confirming that this will not happen.’
Chief Constable Nick Adderley has been contacted for comment.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com