The BBC can reveal that a newly-elected Leicestershire County Councillor was sacked from the police last year. Andrew Hamilton-Gray won a seat in Loughborough for Reform, with almost 40% of the vote. It has now emerged that a police misconduct hearing in January 2024 found he had called in sick, to travel to Spain, when he should have been working as a PC. The misconduct hearing found that was one of two occasions when he reported sick to pursue his outside business interests. Posting on social media after his election on 1 May, Hamilton-Gray said he had spent most of his life "serving the Crown". He pledged to serve Loughborough North West "with honour, integrity and transparency". Now it has emerged that he was a former police officer, and had been dismissed from Leicestershire Police in January 2024. He was sacked for breaching professional standards on "honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct, orders and instructions, and duties and responsibilities". Hamilton-Gray's page on LinkedIn advertises a consultancy advising "high-end dealerships in the luxury car market". It says he has over 13 years experience in the industry, with expertise in marketing brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley and McLaren. Leicestershire Police Federation, which represented the former officer, has confirmed that his misconduct hearing related to selling luxury cars. The panel heard that the force had given him permission to run a car sales business in his own time. The misconduct panel heard that PC Gray, as he was then known, applied for leave to deliver a car to Barcelona in April 2023. Part of his leave request was rejected. But a week later, he booked a return ferry ticket from Portsmouth, returning over two days when he was scheduled to work. He reported in sick only hours before the outward sailing, the panel heard. A month later, two police officers stopped PC Gray in the passenger seat of a vintage red Porsche. The panel heard that he was giving a potential buyer a test-drive while he was signed off sick. After PC Gray's dismissal, Leicestershire's then Chief Constable Rob Nixon described his conduct as "deliberate" and "planned" deception. "Misconduct of this nature undermines discipline and good order within the police service and is likely to undermine confidence in policing. "While this misconduct was confined to a single episode within a long and distinguished police career, it is with a heavy heart, having considered the full circumstances of the case and the guidance, I find the appropriate outcome in this case is dismissal without notice." Hamilton-Gray has been on the College of Policingbarred listsince his dismissal from the Leicestershire Force. He told the BBC he has been advised not to comment. He is listed as a registered director of two Loughborough-based companies, Speedster Cars Ltd and Hamilton Gray Consultancy Ltd. He resigned as a director of another car firm, Hamilton Grays Ltd, in December 2017. Reform UK has also been approached for comment. Follow BBC Leicester onFacebook, onX, or onInstagram. Send your story ideas toeastmidsnews@bbc.co.ukor viaWhatsAppon 0808 100 2210.
Newly-elected Reform councillor was sacked as police officer
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"New Leicestershire Councillor Andrew Hamilton-Gray Dismissed from Police for Misconduct"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Andrew Hamilton-Gray, a newly-elected Leicestershire County Councillor representing Reform, has come under scrutiny following revelations of his dismissal from the police force due to misconduct. He won a significant portion of the vote in Loughborough, securing nearly 40%. However, a police misconduct hearing held in January 2024 determined that Hamilton-Gray had engaged in dishonest conduct by falsely reporting sick to travel to Spain for personal business interests. This misconduct was not an isolated incident; it was one of two occasions where he misused his sick leave to pursue his consultancy work in the luxury car market. Following his election on May 1, Hamilton-Gray declared his commitment to serving his constituents with integrity and transparency, though this commitment is now overshadowed by his professional history with the police force.
The misconduct panel found that Hamilton-Gray, known as PC Gray at the time, had breached several professional standards, including honesty and integrity, and had engaged in discreditable conduct. Specifically, he had requested time off to deliver a luxury car to Barcelona, but part of his leave request was denied. Despite this, he proceeded to book a ferry ticket for the trip and reported sick just hours before his departure, which was deemed a deliberate act of deception by the police leadership. This incident was compounded by an encounter with police officers who found him test-driving a vintage Porsche while he was still officially signed off sick. Following his dismissal, the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police highlighted the severity of his actions, emphasizing that such misconduct undermines trust in the police service. Hamilton-Gray has since been placed on the College of Policing's barred list and has refrained from commenting on the situation, while he continues to maintain business interests in the luxury car sector.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reveals significant concerns regarding the integrity of a newly-elected councillor, Andrew Hamilton-Gray, who was previously dismissed from the police force for misconduct. This case raises questions about accountability and the standards expected of public officials, particularly in light of his recent election victory.
Implications of Misconduct on Public Trust
The revelation that Hamilton-Gray was sacked from his police position due to breaches of professional standards could potentially undermine public trust in local governance. His prior commitment to serve "with honour, integrity and transparency" contrasts sharply with the serious allegations against him, suggesting a mismatch between his public persona and his actions.
Public Perception and Reactions
The article aims to shape public perception by highlighting the severity of Hamilton-Gray's misconduct. It emphasizes his actions as a police officer, which could evoke a strong reaction from constituents who expect their leaders to uphold high ethical standards. The public may view his election as a failure of the political vetting process, raising concerns about the effectiveness of local governance.
Possible Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on Hamilton-Gray's misconduct, it may also serve to distract from other issues within the political landscape of Leicestershire or the Reform party itself. By concentrating on an individual scandal, it could be diverting attention from broader systemic problems, such as party policies or governance issues that may be less favorable to discuss.
Manipulative Elements in Reporting
The framing of the story, especially the emphasis on Hamilton-Gray's dismissal and the specifics of his misconduct, suggests an intention to provoke outrage and skepticism among the electorate. The use of terms like "breaching professional standards" and "discreditable conduct" paints a stark picture that could manipulate public sentiment against him.
Comparative Context
When compared to other political scandals, this situation aligns with a broader trend of scrutinizing public officials' integrity, particularly in the wake of increased awareness around accountability in politics. Similar cases have often led to significant political consequences, including resignations and loss of public support.
Potential Impact on Community and Politics
The fallout from this revelation could lead to increased scrutiny of other officials within the same party or local government. It may also spark calls for reforms in how candidates are vetted, potentially affecting future elections and the political landscape in Leicestershire.
Support and Opposition Dynamics
This news may resonate more with communities that prioritize ethical governance and accountability, potentially alienating those who are less concerned about personal conduct as long as political agendas align with their interests.
Market and Economic Implications
While the article itself may not directly influence financial markets, the underlying themes of public trust and governance can impact local investment climates. If public officials are viewed as corrupt or unethical, it may deter business investments in the region.
Geopolitical Relevance
The case highlights local governance issues that may reflect broader political trends, although it doesn't directly impact global power dynamics. However, it emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership in fostering stable governance.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is no clear indication that AI was utilized in crafting this article. However, if used, AI could have influenced the tone and structure, emphasizing sensational aspects of the story to draw reader attention. This might have been reflected in the choice of wording and the overall framing of Hamilton-Gray's actions.
In conclusion, the reliability of the article is substantial due to its basis in documented misconduct and official proceedings. However, the framing and implications may suggest a degree of manipulation aimed at shaping public sentiment against Hamilton-Gray. The dual narrative of his election versus his past actions creates a complex landscape for public discourse.