‘Walter Mitty’ police chief is accused of being a ‘full fraud’ as new photograph ‘contradicts his excuse for carrying Falklands Struggle medal regardless of being 15 on the time of battle’ and recent questions are raised about his profession within the armed forces

The police chief who was caught out carrying a Falklands Struggle medal regardless of solely being 15 on the time of the battle is dealing with additional stress to resign after new photos known as his rationalization into query. 

Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley, 57, who was as soon as tipped for a prime job on the Met, is now being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The police chief has been beforehand described in press releases and an interview with on-line police journal Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran with ten years of expertise within the Navy. 

However after it was identified he was 15 on the time and being accused of ‘deceptive’ the general public, Chief Constable Adderley stated he was given the South Atlantic Medal by his older brother when he emigrated to Australia.

The ‘stolen valour’ allegations present no signal of abating, nevertheless, as the Sun studies recent pictures now purport to point out Adderley’s brother Rick carrying the medal whereas in Australia in 2020, seven years after Adderley claims it was given to him.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley, 57, has been beforehand described in press releases and an interview with on-line police journal Police Oracle as a Falklands veteran

A photograph from 2020 seems to point out brother Rick carrying his Falklands medal – regardless of Adderley claiming he was given it in 2013

Rick Adderley, 59, was 18 on the time of the Falklands Struggle and served within the Royal Navy earlier than becoming a member of Australia’s Queensland Police in 2013.

Images from a ceremony wherein he collected a bravery award in 2020 seem to point out him carrying the identical medal the Chief Constable claims was given to him. 

His brother, the £165,000-per-year police chief, initially defended himself saying he’s ‘very happy with his Cadet, Royal Navy and Police Service’ and that he additionally wears medals awarded to his brothers.

‘I put on all my medals with pleasure and have at all times worn the 2 medals my brothers gave me to put on when one turned critically ailing and one emigrated, alongside my very own.

‘Having been made conscious of this criticism, which has a personal household influence upon me personally, I instantly took recommendation final week relating to the protocol and have modified the facet of my chest on which these medals are worn.

‘I sit up for offering the IOPC with a fulsome response on the earliest alternative and I totally respect that they’ve a job to do.’

The police watchdog is trying into allegations of potential misrepresentation of his army service, in addition to communications with the commissioner. The probe may result in him being hauled in entrance of a misconduct listening to. 

The married father-of-two is featured in pictures which present him carrying the medal at a string of occasions over time, together with the Police Bravery Awards this July. 

‘Stolen Valour’ is the time period generally utilized to the act of carrying army medals or decorations that haven’t been earned with the intent to deceive.

It’s not an offence within the UK for people to put on medals or decorations that they weren’t awarded – however it’s an offence to put on a army medal with out permission, in keeping with the UK Parliament’s briefing on Stolen Valour.

The Chief Constable is seen carrying the South Atlantic Medal at an official police occasion

Adderley has worn the medal to a number of occasions over time since his brother’s emigration

Adderley pictured on the funeral for PC Nicola Hughes in October 2012

Constable Adderley pinned the 1982 marketing campaign medal to his chest – regardless of not becoming a member of the Royal Navy till two years later

Chief Constable Adderley is known to have enlisted within the Navy in 1984 aged 18 – two years after the Falklands Struggle ended. He was within the cadets from the age of 15.

The Solar reported {that a} Northamptonshire Police press launch said he served 10 years within the Navy, together with within the 1982 Falklands Struggle. The discharge has since been deleted.

However an article on Police Oracle repeated the claims: ‘He’s as enthusiastic now about policing as when he joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1992 after being within the Royal Navy for ten years, throughout which period he served within the Falklands Struggle.’ 

It has now been claimed Adderley really joined the Navy in 1984, having been within the cadets since 15, and left in 1986, and that he served as an enlisted sailor relatively than an officer.

The Solar additionally spoke with a former colleague of Adderley, Robert Gallagher MBE, who stated the policeman instructed him he fought on an plane service within the Falklands Struggle.

Mr Gallagher, who’s a senior forensic officer with 24 years expertise within the police, seen is claimed to have seen the medal at a ceremony in 2014.

He instructed the paper: ‘I seen he had a Falklands medal, as I’ve, and requested him who he served with down south. He stated Royal Navy and he was on a service.

‘At no time did he say it was his brother’s and I’m 100 per cent sure of that, in any other case I would have picked him up on why he was carrying it.’

Tom Herring, chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Affiliation, instructed MailOnline that Adderley should have been conscious of the principles round service medals, and the custom of carrying medals of family members on the other facet of the chest.

He stated: ‘He ought to have identified higher. Everybody within the armed forces is aware of marketing campaign medals awarded to another person shouldn’t be worn on the left–hand facet.’

He has additionally been pictured carrying a Normal Service Medal with a Northern Eire clasp, regardless of by no means serving within the nation. It’s thought the medal belongs to his different brother Dave, 53.

The IOPC reportedly launched its probe after receiving a tip-off from the native Police, Fireplace & Crime Commissioner.

Chief Constable Adderley was beforehand referred to the IOPC after the dying of Harry Dunn, 19, who was struck whereas driving his bike by a automotive pushed by US citizen Anne Sacoolas, who then fled the nation.

Adderley described the household’s spokesperson as a ‘drawback’ and posted on Twitter describing their authorized battles: ‘How unhappy however how predictable’.

Two months later he apologised to the household. 

The married father of two, 57, (left) is now being investigated by the police watchdog for carrying the medals at varied occasions

British troopers in the course of the Falklands Battle in June 1982, at which period Nick Adderley would have been 15

He additionally sparked a backlash after he stated officers might have to go looking purchasing trolleys in the course of the Covid lockdown if the general public flout the principles.

Chief Constable Adderley warned that police may quickly should eavesdrop on customers or impose highway blocks to test individuals had been leaving their properties for under important causes.

The Northamptonshire Police chief claimed the general public had loved a ‘three-week grace interval’ and stated his power will now be issuing £60 fines and arresting these caught outdoors and not using a good motive.

He stated: ‘We is not going to, at this stage, be organising highway blocks.

‘We is not going to, at this stage, begin to marshal supermarkets and test the objects in baskets and trolleys to see whether or not it is a obligatory merchandise.

‘However be below no phantasm, if individuals don’t heed the warnings and the pleas I am making as we speak, we are going to begin to try this.’

After his feedback, Chief Constable Adderley got here below stress from the Nationwide Police Chiefs Council, which issued a press launch saying: ‘The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police has clarified his earlier assertion about police checking individuals’s purchasing, confirming that this is not going to occur.’

Chief Constable Nick Adderley has been contacted for remark.