Devon and Cornwall chief constable suspended over work phone claims

Jim Colwell, who is acting in the role after suspension of predecessor, is also being investigated in another matter

The acting chief constable of Devon and Cornwall has been suspended from his 180,000-a-year job over claims he misused his work phone, 18 months after his predecessor was also suspended.

Jim Colwell has been placed under investigation for gross misconduct by the police watchdog, triggering fears that the force in south-west England may go into freefall", according to one senior policing source.