Andrew Flanagan to step down as Scottish Police Authority chair

Andrew Flanagan, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), has announced plans to step down.

Mr Flanagan will resign from the role, which he held since September 2015, once a successor has been chosen, the Scottish government confirmed.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “I am grateful to Andrew Flanagan for his significant contribution to policing, having become chair at a key time for the sector and brought a more strategic focus to the oversight of this key public service.

“Together with the Chief Constable, Andrew has led the development of the future strategy for Policing, including extensive public consultation through the draft 2026 strategy.

“However, he has acknowledged that mistakes have been made. He has offered a full and very public apology and made clear changes to transparency and governance in light of the concerns raised.

“I have agreed that he will stand down from his role once a successor is identified and recruited through the public appointments process. This will allow business continuity over this important period.”

Mary Fee, convener of Holyrood’s justice sub-committee on policing, said: “We need to take a moment to reflect on one of the key responsibilities which Andrew Flanagan was tasked with when he was appointed chair of the Scottish Police Authority, and that was to improve openness and transparency.

“It’s become quite clear in the last few months that considerable concerns have been raised by the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing, the Public Audit Committee and by HMICS that he has not improved openness and transparency. In fact, openness and transparency have decreased during his time as chair of the SPA.

“We should view this as an opportunity to work proactively with the SPA to put in place a chair who will lead the board in an open, transparent manner and take the SPA forward.”