Neil Kinrade
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Deputy Chief Constable Neil Kinrade was the former Deputy Chief Constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary. He is most well known for his part in the so called Manx Bugging Scandal of the late 1990s and 2000s, his subsequent suspension from duty and his fight to clear his name, taking High Court action against among others, the Chief Constable and the Minister of Home Affairs. He is currently a Gambling Control Commissioner.
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[edit] Early career
The Manx born Neil Kinrade joined the Constabulary and rose quickly through the ranks to Chief Inspector. In 1999, Mike Culverhouse was appointed Chief Constable following the retirement of Robin Oake QPM. Shortly afterward the Deputy Chief Constable’s position became vacant and for the first time ever it was advertised off-Island by the Chief Constable. Rumours were rife that Mr Kinrade, the then Acting DCC had already been offered the job as popular opinion was that it should be a Manx Officer and the Police Federation called the off-Island advertising “prejudicial”.[citation needed] Mr Kinrade was duly appointed DCC at the end of January 2001.
However less than a month into his appointment it was revealed that Mr Kinrade was under investigation by an off-Island force after an incident in February 2000. Thus began a series of around 10 allegations against DCC Kinrade, all of which he was subsequently cleared off. After a 2½ year investigation Mr Kinrade was cleared of this charge.
[edit] The Manx Bugging Scandal
On 23 October 2003, Home Affairs Minister Phil Braidwood announced in the House that a probe had been launched after claims a bug was used to monitor conversations between lawyers and clients at police headquarters for more than 10 years. Mike Culverhouse confirmed that the listening device’s use was common until Spring 1999 and the allegations could lead to a decade of convictions being re-examined [1]. Thus began the Manx Bugging Scandal, the biggest scandal ever to hit the Isle of Man and certainly on a par with the current Manx Electricity Authority Scandal. A reputable lawyer once said this scandal could cost the taxpayer £500 million.[2]
[edit] Suspension
In October 2003, DCC Kinrade was suspended from duty in connection with an “ongoing enquiry” [3]. Member of Tynwald, John Houghton MHK, who has turned out to be a long term supporter of Mr Kinrade and critic of the Police force,[citation needed] said the “whole force is up in arms”[4] and that it’s “quite clear he’s done nothing wrong”.[citation needed] It was later announced[citation needed] that Cheshire Constabulary would be brought in to investigate the allegations, believed to be connected with the Bugging Scandal. Mr Kinrade quickly made a statement categorically denying any “inappropriate or unlawful conduct”[5] and admitted he had lodged a formal complaint against Mr Culverhouse [6].
[edit] High Court action
After taking legal advice, it was revealed that Mr Kinrade lodged a Petition of Doleance with the Isle of Man High Court. The petition demanded judicial review of his suspension and its handling by Mr Culverhouse and the Department of Home Affairs. It also takes legal action against the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Braidwood and the Cheshire Constabulary. It was also revealed[citation needed] at this time that 3 further complaints had been lodged against the Chief Constable by serving officers.
During the next year, the Court action was repeatedly delayed. Further suspension of less senior officers were also made and the topic of the state of the Police force was the most prominent item on the Tynwald Agenda paper week in week out. It was later revealed that at least 7 other disciplinary notices were served on DCC Kinrade, although “no action to follow”[citation needed] was the result of all of these and numerous other notices served by Chief Constable Culverhouse. A fight over who should pay the fees in Mr Kinrade’s High Court case was also fought, resulting in the fact that all sides would be covered by the Manx Government apart from DCC Kinrade, an employee.
In August 2004, it was revealed[7] that the High Court Action had been dramatically halted. The terms of the settlement were to remain confidential but DCC Kinrade would retire, and drop his legal case and all disciplinary charges against him would be dropped.[8]
Mr Kinrade duly retired from the Constabulary “in line with his original intentions”[9]. However the saga continues with Select Committees of Tynwald looking into various parts of the affair and also what is believed[citation needed] to be up to 15 separate complaints into Chief Constable Culverhouse still be investigated by Hampshire Constabulary. No official comment has so far been made about rumours that Mr Kinrade was substantially paid off as part of his legal action, although there have been calls for the confidentiality to be lifted.
[edit] Legacy and post-retirement
DCC Kinrade will be remembered as the first officer to go in the apparent purge of the Senior Ranks of the Isle of Man Constabulary by Mike Culvershouse, later resulting in the suspension or retirement of DI Kinrade, DCI Bell, DI Graley (currently seeking remedy in the European Court of Justice) and arguably DCI Evans.All of these officers were later awarded long service and good conduct medals. There are similarities with the Stalker Affair in the UK and this affair has prompted a legislative review of the Police Force Acts of Tynwald and the disciplinary regulations by the Department of Home Affairs.
On 24 January 2005, Mr Kinrade replacement was announced as Chief Superintendent Mike Langdon from the Merseyside Force. The Island Force has also subsequently sought other lower ranks from the off-Island Police Force so perhaps Mr Kinrade will be the last Manx born Deputy Chief Constable.
