A FORMER Wiltshire chief constable is facing gross misconduct proceedings from the police watchdog.

The Independent Office of Police Conduct has said there is “sufficient evidence” Mike Veale breached professional standards in his more recent role as chief constable at Cleveland Police in 2018.

Veale, who quit Cleveland Police in January 2019, formerly led the Sir Edward Heath inquiry while at the helm of Wiltshire Police.

Police & Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Steve Turner said an independent panel would hold a misconduct hearing.

The former chief constable quit Cleveland after an IOPC investigation was launched following complaints from the previous PCC Barry Coppinger.

A spokesman for the IOPC said: "We found that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that Mr Veale had breached the standards of professional behaviour.

"Following discussion, we have accepted the then PCC's determinations that Mr Veale should face proceedings for gross misconduct.

"The allegations relate to conduct between July and December 2018 when serving as chief constable.

"It will be for the PCC to formulate the nature of the misconduct charges, based on our findings, and to bring those proceedings to a future misconduct hearing."

A spokesman for Mr Turner told the BBC: "The matter will shortly be referred to an independent panel, chaired by an independent lawyer, to hold a misconduct hearing to consider the evidence, make appropriate findings and determine any appropriate outcome."