A police chief is to investigate a senior colleague in another force who has been accused of blocking the promotion of a subordinate.

Kevin Matheson, the new Chief Constable of Tayside, will examine claims that Garry Sutherland, Deputy Chief Constable at Northern Constabulary, has unfairly passed over Inspector Callum Scott.

Northern Joint Police Board requested the inquiry after Mr Scott took the rare step of making a complaint against his boss. It is understood that Mr Matheson made a preliminary visit to Northern Constabulary's headquarters in Inverness this week.

Mr Scott claims that he has been obstructed in his career progression. He has been seeking promotion at Northern Constabulary for some time but has been turned down on several occasions by Mr Sutherland, despite passing the relevant exams.

After the latest rejection, Mr Scott lodged a complaint with Mr Sutherland's employers, the Northern Joint Police Board, accusing his superior of “overbearing and oppressive conduct”.

Mr Scott, 51, was heavily involved in the organisation of policing and security at last year's successful Rock Ness pop festival. He has also been responsible for organising the policing of football matches in Inverness.

Mr Scott refused to comment on the matter, but David Ross, secretary of the Police Federation North, confirmed that he had taken action against Mr Sutherland.

“Mr Matheson has been called in by the board to investigate our member's complaint,” he said.

Mr Sutherland, who rose from the ranks within Northern Constabulary to become second-in-command to Chief Constable Ian Latimer, declined to comment on the investigation yesterday.

The Association of Chief Police Officers also refused to comment, but pointed out that it was standard practice for a chief constable or police board to call in another force whenever a complaint is registered.

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