Deputy Chief Constable allowed to retire secretly amid affair investigation over colleague

Carl Langley, Deputy Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police, was investigated over the illicit relationship with the force's top lawyer, Samantha Gainard, after complaints it affected the decisions they took.

His boss, outgoing Chief Constable Simon Prince, concluded that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct – which would have led to a disciplinary hearing and could have seen him dismissed.

But the result of the case was never made public and instead the chief constable allowed Langley to retire quietly in October this year, despite the Home Office pushing through a new law that means officers can only leave in exceptional circumstances while under investigation.

The 49-year-old left on the day he completed 30 years in the service, which entitled him to his full pension.

He had already caused anger for claiming almost £40,000 from the public purse in removal costs when he moved to the rural Welsh force just four years earlier, and had been given a high-profile national role on £125,020 a year instead of being suspended when he was placed under investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police tried to withhold the result of the misconduct inquiry into Langley and only backed down under pressure.

Mr Prince, who himself retired last week, added in a statement: "Legal advice was sought and it was felt that it would be in the best interests of both Dyfed-Powys Police and the communities we serve, that DCC Langley be allowed to retire.

"We are in a period of significant change. With the imminent arrival of a new chief constable it was felt that for the good of the force, he should be in a position to appoint his new deputy at the earliest opportunity."

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn added: "The decision to allow Carl Langley to retire was the decision of Chief Constable Simon Prince.

"Whether or not I agree with the decision is immaterial. Legislation does not enable me to influence the situation."