A POLICE inspector under investigation for misconduct has remained suspended on full pay for more than two years.

Anthony Lumb was first suspended when allegations arose suggesting he had sex with a woman while on duty in Brighton.

After a decision not to prosecute the inspector, those who have made complaints are yet to hear when he will face a misconduct hearing.

But as per police policy, he has remained suspended on an estimated salary of £50,000 per year since March 2017 until now.

One of the complainants Nicola Brookes, has described the situation as a “farce”.

Ms Brookes, who waived her right to anonymity, previously said she has been made to feel like a “deformed piece of meat”.

She suffers from Crohn’s disease and was the victim of stalking, and said she has no “trust, faith or confidence” in the system.

Ms Brookes said: “The police have had this case since January 2017. He has been suspended for two and a half years.

“You would think Sussex Police would have prepared his gross misconduct hearing by now.”

The Argus:

The case was first referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Evidence had been found to suggest a criminal offence had been committed, and Insp Lumb was interviewed under caution.

The CPS has now said there is not enough evidence to prosecute the case, but Insp Lumb still faces a misconduct hearing.

It is estimated that he will have received a total of £125,000 in salary payments so far while he has remained suspended.

The police said: “Anthony Lumb, a police inspector based at Brighton, is being investigated for misconduct in public office and will face a gross misconduct hearing at a date to be fixed.

Inspector Lumb was suspended at the point of allegations in 2017 and the case referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) for full investigation. In 2018, it was agreed that Sussex Police would progress a gross misconduct hearing, following a review by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS concluded, following appeal, there was no criminal case to answer in July 2019.

Sussex Police is now in the process of preparing the hearing, scheduled for five days, which as required will be led by a legally-qualified chair.

Inspector Lumb is suspended on full pay, as is mandated by national police regulations."