POLICE CHIEF INVESTIGATED OVER DRUG USE

A controversial police chief was yesterday removed from his job as an
inquiry was launched into allegations that he smoked cannabis.

Commander Brian Paddick, 43, was taken off operational duties in Lambeth,
south London, where he has pioneered a lax approach to cannabis possession,
and placed in a less high-profile desk job at Scotland Yard. Following his
transfer, Mr Paddick refused to answer questions about the allegations, and
would only say: "Obviously, I'm very disappointed to be leaving Lambeth,
albeit temporarily."

The inquiry into alleged criminality and breaches of police disciplinary
regulations will be carried out by an officer from an outside force under
the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.

It will focus on claims made by Mr Paddick's former partner, James
Renolleau, 36, an ex-male model, who said they smoked at least 100 joints
together.

Mr Paddick, who is Britain's highest-ranking openly gay policeman, has
flatly denied using cannabis but admitted to a Sunday newspaper that Mr
Renolleau did so in their flat against his wishes.

The pair lived together in Westminster, central London, close to Scotland
Yard, during their five-year relationship.

In allowing cannabis to be smoked in his home, Mr Paddick could have
breached the Misuse of Drugs Act.

On top of the drugs claims, he also faces an allegation of breaching
disciplinary rules by failing to inform his superiors that Mr Renolleau was
on police bail pending a fraud investigation when they began seeing each other.

In addition to the drug allegations, Mr Renolleau also claimed that Mr
Paddick picked up a male sexual partner on the Gatwick Express and sought
sex in sauna parlours, all of which the senior policeman has strenuously
denied.

Mr Paddick, who caused controversy when he revealed on his web site that he
found the concept of anarchism "attractive", was told of the disciplinary
action by his immediate boss, Assistant Commissioner Mike Todd, and that
his new job at Scotland Yard will be in "territorial policing".

Senior officers are aware that Mr Paddick has himself "become the story"
and are keen to keep him away from the media spotlight. There is also
concern over potential further allegations from Mr Renolleau.

The inquiry was launched following talks between Mr Todd, Sir John Stevens,
the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and Lord Harris, the Metropolitan
Police Authority's chairman.

The MPA, which technically employs Commander Paddick, advised Sir John to
move him to another role while the inquiry is carried out. He has not been
suspended.

Mr Paddick received strong backing from the Lesbian and Gay Police
Association, the Black Police Association and gay rights campaigners, some
of whom claim he is the victim of a homophobic witch-hunt.

But Lord Harris said: "Any police officer has a private life and we are not
interested in whether he is gay or not.

"That is not the issue - the issue is whether he was involved as a police
officer in any criminality or breach of disciplinary procedures. Clearly,
if these sorts of allegations were proven against a senior officer then
appropriate disciplinary steps would be taken, which could include dismissal."

The inquiry comes just a week after Mr Paddick was lambasted by Sir John
Stevens for saying on a web site that he found the concept of anarchism
"attractive". The comments led to him being dubbed "Commander Anarchy" and
"Commander Crackpot".

He has since continued to post his views on policing issues on a radical
discussion site where there were messages of support for him as news of the
inquiry emerged.

Peter Tatchell, the gay rights campaigner, said: "He is a convenient,
vulnerable whipping boy for those desperate to thwart the liberalisation of
the cannabis laws."