Neil Kinrade
Encyclopedia
Neil Kinrade was the former Deputy Chief Constable
of the Isle of Man Constabulary
. He is best known for his part in the "Manx Bugging Scandal" of the late 1990s and 2000s, his subsequent suspension from duty and his fight to clear his name, taking High Court action against among others, the Chief Constable and the Minister of Home Affairs. He is currently a Gambling Supervision Commissioner
.
. In 1999, Mike Culverhouse
was appointed Chief Constable
following the retirement of Robin Oake
QPM
. Shortly afterwards the Deputy Chief Constable
’s position became vacant, and following off-island advertising, Neil Kinrade was duly appointed DCC at the end of January 2001.
Less than a month into his appointment it was revealed that Mr Kinrade was under investigation by an off-Island force after an incident in February 2000. After a 2½ year investigation Mr Kinrade was cleared of this charge.
Phil Braidwood
announced in the House of Keys that a probe had been launched after claims a bug was used to monitor conversations between lawyers and clients at police headquarters for more than ten years. Mike Culverhouse
confirmed that the listening device’s use was common until Spring 1999 and the allegations could lead to a decade of convictions being re-examined. A lawyer claimed that this scandal had the potential to cost the taxpayer £500 million.
, John Houghton
MHK
, a critic of the police force, said the “whole force is up in arms”.
Cheshire Constabulary
were brought in to investigate the allegations of illegal bugging, Mr Kinrade made a statement categorically denying any “inappropriate or unlawful conduct” and stated that he had lodged a formal complaint against Mike Culverhouse.
. The petition demanded judicial review of his suspension and its handling by Mike Culverhouse and the Department of Home Affairs
.
During the next year, the court action was repeatedly delayed. Further suspensions of other officers were also made. In August 2004 the Isle of Man High Court action was halted. The terms of the settlement remained confidential but Neil Kinrade retired, "in line with his original intentions", and dropped his legal case and all disciplinary charges against him were dropped.
On 24 January 2005, Mr Kinrade's replacement was announced as Chief Superintendent
Mike Langdon from the Merseyside Force.
Deputy Chief Constable
Deputy chief constable is the second highest rank in all territorial police forces in the United Kingdom , as well as the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and Civil Nuclear...
of the Isle of Man Constabulary
Isle of Man Constabulary
The Isle of Man Constabulary is the organisation responsible for policing the Isle of Man, an island of 80,000 inhabitants situated equidistant from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.-Structures and Deployment:...
. He is best known for his part in the "Manx Bugging Scandal" of the late 1990s and 2000s, his subsequent suspension from duty and his fight to clear his name, taking High Court action against among others, the Chief Constable and the Minister of Home Affairs. He is currently a Gambling Supervision Commissioner
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission is the Gaming Control Board of the Isle of Man...
.
Early career
The Manx born Neil Kinrade joined the Constabulary and rose quickly through the ranks to Chief InspectorChief inspector
Chief inspector is a rank used in police forces which follow the British model. In countries outside Britain, it is sometimes referred to as chief inspector of police .-Australia:...
. In 1999, Mike Culverhouse
Mike Culverhouse
Mike Culverhouse was Chief Constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary from 1999 until his retirement on 31 December 2007. He took over as Chief Constable following the retirement of Robin Oake QPM and was the first ever Chief Constable of the Isle of Man to be appointed who did not previously hold...
was appointed Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
following the retirement of Robin Oake
Robin Oake
Robin Oake QPM is the former Chief Constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary and prior to that Assistant Chief Constable in the Greater Manchester Police.He was Chief Constable of the Isle of Man from 1986 to 1999, when he was succeeded by Mike Culverhouse....
QPM
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
. Shortly afterwards the Deputy Chief Constable
Deputy Chief Constable
Deputy chief constable is the second highest rank in all territorial police forces in the United Kingdom , as well as the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and Civil Nuclear...
’s position became vacant, and following off-island advertising, Neil Kinrade was duly appointed DCC at the end of January 2001.
Less than a month into his appointment it was revealed that Mr Kinrade was under investigation by an off-Island force after an incident in February 2000. After a 2½ year investigation Mr Kinrade was cleared of this charge.
The Manx Bugging Scandal
On 23 October 2003, Minister of Home Affairs MinisterDepartment of Home Affairs (Isle of Man)
The Department of Home Affairs ensures the safety, protection and security of the Isle of Man.The Department is responsible for the police, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Prison Service & Isle of Man Prison, the Probation Service, emergency planning and Civil Defence.The current Minister for...
Phil Braidwood
Phil Braidwood
Robert Philip "Phil" Braidwood BEng MLC is a Manx politician, who is currently a Member of the Legislative Council, he was previously an MHK for Douglas East after winning the Douglas East by-election in 1995 and he has continued to top the poll in every General Election since then until his...
announced in the House of Keys that a probe had been launched after claims a bug was used to monitor conversations between lawyers and clients at police headquarters for more than ten years. Mike Culverhouse
Mike Culverhouse
Mike Culverhouse was Chief Constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary from 1999 until his retirement on 31 December 2007. He took over as Chief Constable following the retirement of Robin Oake QPM and was the first ever Chief Constable of the Isle of Man to be appointed who did not previously hold...
confirmed that the listening device’s use was common until Spring 1999 and the allegations could lead to a decade of convictions being re-examined. A lawyer claimed that this scandal had the potential to cost the taxpayer £500 million.
Suspension
In October 2003, Mr Kinrade was suspended from duty in connection with an “ongoing enquiry”. Member of TynwaldTynwald
The Tynwald , or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.The Houses sit jointly, for...
, John Houghton
John Houghton (Isle of Man)
John Houghton MHK is a Member of the House of Keys for Douglas North and is currently Chairman of the Civil Service Commission. He is an outspoken critic of both the Isle of Man Constabulary and in particular its Chief Constable, Mike Culverhouse...
MHK
Member of the House of Keys
Member of the House of Keys, or MHK is the title given to a person who has been elected into the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man. There are twenty-four Members of the House of Keys. Elections are held every five years; the last election took place in...
, a critic of the police force, said the “whole force is up in arms”.
Cheshire Constabulary
Cheshire Constabulary
Cheshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the English unitary authorities of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington. The force is responsible for policing an area of with a population of roughly 1 million.The Chief Constable of the...
were brought in to investigate the allegations of illegal bugging, Mr Kinrade made a statement categorically denying any “inappropriate or unlawful conduct” and stated that he had lodged a formal complaint against Mike Culverhouse.
High Court action
Mr Kinrade lodged a Petition of Doleance with the Isle of Man High CourtIsle of Man High Court
The High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man is governed by the High Court Act 1991. There are four permanent judges of the High Court:*the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls*the Second Deemster*a full time additional Deemster*the Judge of Appeal...
. The petition demanded judicial review of his suspension and its handling by Mike Culverhouse and the Department of Home Affairs
Department of Home Affairs (Isle of Man)
The Department of Home Affairs ensures the safety, protection and security of the Isle of Man.The Department is responsible for the police, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Prison Service & Isle of Man Prison, the Probation Service, emergency planning and Civil Defence.The current Minister for...
.
During the next year, the court action was repeatedly delayed. Further suspensions of other officers were also made. In August 2004 the Isle of Man High Court action was halted. The terms of the settlement remained confidential but Neil Kinrade retired, "in line with his original intentions", and dropped his legal case and all disciplinary charges against him were dropped.
On 24 January 2005, Mr Kinrade's replacement was announced as Chief Superintendent
Chief Superintendent
Chief superintendent is a senior rank in police forces organised on the British model.- United Kingdom :In the British police, a chief superintendent is senior to a superintendent and junior to an assistant chief constable .The highest rank below Chief Officer level, chief...
Mike Langdon from the Merseyside Force.
External links
- iomtoday.co.im – Acting Deputy Chief Constable Could Be Brought in from UK
- iomtoday.co.im – Judge Pulls Out of High-Profile Case
- ManxForums.com
- iomtoday.co.im – UK Chief Constable to Investigate Complaints
- iomtoday.co.im – Police Complaints - No Action to Follow
- iomtoday.co.im – Chief Constable faces Court Quiz