AVON and Somerset chief constable, Nick Gargan, will face an internal charge of gross misconduct following claims that he made "inappropriate advances" to female colleagues and leaked internal emails.

He was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over the allegations but will not face criminal charges.

After the IPCC probe, police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens decided Mr Gargan, who was suspended from his role in May, has a "case to answer" for gross misconduct.

In a statement the Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner said:

“Following the conclusion of the IPCC’s investigation into allegations in relation to the improper disclosure of information and inappropriate behaviour towards women, made about Chief Constable Nick Gargan, I was provided with the IPCC’s report and had 15 working days to make a decision on whether or not to refer the matter to misconduct proceedings.

“The IPCC put forward a number of recommendations regarding Nick Gargan. In accordance with those recommendations, I have made the decision there is a case to answer for gross misconduct and therefore I will refer the allegations to a misconduct hearing in front of an independent misconduct panel. I will not be involved in the misconduct panel.

“The misconduct panel will consist of a leading counsel from a Home Office agreed list, who will act as Chair of the Panel, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary or another HMIC inspector of constabulary nominated by him and an independent member of the public.

“The members of the panel will decide if the allegations are proven or not and will present their recommendations to me. I will ensure that these recommendations are made public.

“The exact timing of the misconduct panel will depend on various factors; however it will take place as soon as possible, hopefully in the next few months.”