Staffordshire's police and crime commissioner has revealed further details on his decision to suspend Chief Constable Chris Noble.

Commissioner Ben Adams suspended Mr Noble on August 1 following allegations relating to his behaviour outside of work before his time with Staffordshire Police.

Mr Adams has now given the Staffordshire police, fire and crime panel more information on how the decision was taken, and said that he will keep the panel updated on the case. In his written report to the panel, Mr Adams says that he first received information from the Independent Office for Police Conduct relating to Mr Noble on October 18.

This concerned the alleged sharing of confidential information regarding an employment matter in 2018. Mr Adams subsequently made a referral to the IOPC, but decided at that point that 'the conduct matters did not reach the threshold for suspension'. The matter remains under investigation by the IOPC.

But in April of this year, the IOPC received a further complaint which alleged conduct matters against Mr Noble 'of a more serious nature'. Mr Adams made a further referral to the IOPC, and investigation, which are ongoing, established that the allegations were 'of a higher level of severity' and met the threshold for suspension.

The Chief Police Officer's Staff Association, which is representing Mr Noble, has said that he 'completely and categorically denies any wrongdoing'.

At a meeting on Monday, Mr Adams said he was currently unable to give any further information, but assured the panel that he would tell them immediately if this changed.

Commissioner Ben Adams suspended Mr Noble on August 1. (Staffordshire Commissioner)

Mr Adams said: "Regrettably the report doesn't say much more than the letter I shared when I made this decision. It's really regrettable given the progress that has been made.

"There's nothing more I can share with the panel about the matter. It is still being investigated by the independent body.

"By way of reassurance, the team at the top of Staffordshire Police who have stepped up while the chief constable is suspended are doing a fine job and everybody is focused on continuing to deliver to the current plan, and particularly to prepare for the inspection report in the spring.

"As soon as I can share more information I will do. I won't wait for the next meeting."

Deputy Chief Constable Becky Riggs is currently serving as acting chief constable, while options to identify a temporary appointee to the position are considered.

In response to a question from a member of the public, Mr Adams defended his decision last August to extend Mr Noble's employment contract by two years. This decision was taken prior to the initial contact from the IOPC in October.

Mr Adams said: "I was actually very confident in what Chris Noble was doing, the way he was performing, the way the service was progressing, which was demonstrable by the improved responses from the public and the inspectorate. So it was a reasonably straightforward decision to extend his contract. I was happy to do that."