Police chief 'punched his chief constable at barbecue after finds that he was having Affair with one of the "High ranking police"

A high-ranking police officer attacked his chief constable at a barbecue when he found out he was having an affair with his wife, a tribunal has heard.

Jim Peacock, chief superintendent at Northumbria Police, allegedly lashed out at his boss Mike Craik after discovering he was in a relationship with his wife Carolyn Peacock, assistant chief constable at the same force.

The alleged incident took place during a gathering at Mr Craik's house and led to officers being called to the property to try and calm the situation. 

But it is claimed the call-out was later deleted from the police log - on the demands of the chief constable - amid fears the alleged fracas would be made public.

The force also sought to stop the allegations being fully reported by requesting the court ban the identity of the three former officers - an order that was lifted today

Details of the alleged incident emerged at a tribunal in which the force's legal chief Denise Aubrey is claiming unfair dismissal.

The long-term employee, 54, was sacked for gross misconduct after she was accused of discussing the affair with her colleagues at Northumbria Police

But Ms Aubrey denies ever gossiping about the relationship and claims she was unfairly sacked after being repeatedly exposed to 'sexist' and 'bullying' treatment by senior officers that 'ruined her life'.

In a statement read to the tribunal today, Ms Aubrey said she first heard whispers of the affair in 2007.

She said: 'The rumours about Mrs Peacock, a senior Northumbria Police officer, and Craik, a very senior officer, started circulating in 2007.

'I first heard them from a female officer in another force when I was attending a function in Wakefield. Mrs Peacock was mentioned and it was suggested there was "something going on" between her and Craik.'

She said: 'One of the stories circulating was that Craik had been having a barbecue at his house when Mrs Peacock's husband, who was also on the force, turned up and punched him.

'It was said that the police were called and Craik was alleged to have insisted that the incident log was removed from the force computer system.'

She added: 'I have since found out from a former inspector who was the operational commander on duty that the log was indeed removed.' 

Ms Aubrey claimed she 'did not take much notice' of the stories about the affair and denies discussing the matter with her fellow lawyers.

Daphne Romney QC, representing Ms Aubrey, said the 2007 incident attracted attention from Operation Elveden, an investigation into allegations of inappropriate payments to police officers and other public officials.

Ms Aubrey said Northumbria Police had been instructed to investigate whether there had been a leak about the alleged affair, but reported back that there had been no incident, because there was no log about it. 

She told the tribunal: 'So it is not simply a matter of whether two or three people were involved in a scuffle but also an investigation of how that was used in covering up and misleading a criminal investigation.' 

The tribunal is also expected to hear evidence that public money was spent on legal advice for one of the officers accused of having the affair.

In evidence, Ms Aubrey said: 'I have been up against an enormous, publicly funded organisation which is happy to spend public money.' 

Ms Aubrey, who worked for the force for 20 years, claims 'overt sexism was rife' at Northumbria police force.

She claims she was referred to as 'sex on legs' and 'sex on a stick' by her superiors - and that a male chief inspector once told her she had 'been appointed as the 'token woman'.'

She described how on one occasion, after giving a presentation, she was told that 'everyone was transfixed as they could see my nipples through my blouse.'  

Miss Aubrey said she was very unwell before her suspension in June 2013 and was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing she was unable to attend.

She said: 'My appeal was rejected on July 1 2014. After two decades of dedicated service, Northumbria Police ruined my life, my mental health and my career.' 

The names of those involved can now be reported after restrictions at the tribunal were lifted.

The force had requested the names of the officers be banned. But Judge Humphrey Forrester withdrew the order he had initially made after listening to representations on behalf of the press.  

Former chief constable Sue Sim is due to give evidence during the tribunal in favour of Ms Aubrey, after sharing a very close working relationship while still at the force. 

Mrs Sim’s relationship with her old force has been strained since she was accused last year of bullying male colleagues by giving them Alex Ferguson-style ‘hairdryer treatments’.

She was cleared of misconduct but chose to retire to spend more time with her family. She later accused male officers of treating her differently because she is a woman – but says her complaint has been dismissed by Northumbria Police.  

A few weeks later, the married mother of two was enjoying the night out in Edinburgh city centre with a woman from her old force, who was later questioned by British Transport Police after appearing 'intoxicated'.  

The mid-ranking serving officer, who was not named, was given a verbal warning but was allowed to go home to sleep it off after Mrs Sim intervened.

The force later launched a top-level disciplinary inquiry, which Mrs Sim said was the force’s way of getting back at her after her career ended amid toxic allegations of bullying and sexism. 

Mr Craik and the Peacocks, who are all retired, were not present at the hearing but it was said they deny the affair and that the incident at the BBQ ever took place.  

The tribunal continues.