A 'Walter Mitty' police chief who wore a Falklands War medal despite being just 15 when the conflict happened,has been found guilty of gross misconduct.
Nick Adderley,who was suspended from his role as head of Northamptonshire Police amid claims he exaggerated his rank and length of service and lied about his naval achievements,has committed gross misconduct,a panel concluded today.
Adderley had previously claimed the South Atlantic Medal he has been pictured wearing since at least 2012 was given to him by his brother Richard when he emigrated to Australia in 2008.
The SAM was awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands conflict.
But John Beggs,representing the Office of the Northamptonshire Police,Fire and Crime Commissioner,told the hearing in Northampton yesterday that Richard Adderley did not embark for The Falklands until July 2,1982.
That was later than the end of the hostilities almost three weeks earlier on June 14.
Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley is pictured here arriving at the Northampton Saints ground on May 28 for his gross misconduct disciplinary hearing
'Perhaps the key point - why do you suppose that Nick Adderley was so unenthusiastic about calling Richard Adderley to give evidence?
'Just as he wouldn't give evidence,he didn't want his brother giving evidence,it would have been a car crash.
'It gets worse because Richard Adderley wasn't entitled to any SAM medal until the criteria was amended in 2015. Nick Adderley said he gave it to him before he emigrated to Australia in 2008.
'We now know Richard Adderley wasn't even entitled to a SAM during that period.
'Why did Richard Adderley say he got the medal a few weeks after arriving at a mess hall? Because he wasn't telling the truth,and at whose instigation is he not telling the truth? If you join the dots,we say it is pretty obvious what is going on.
'Everywhere you look,there are inconsistencies.'
© OfficialAffairs
