Ethics watchdog chief steps down over past misconduct claims

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 02:56 · Archive

Stuart Sterling, head of the government's Ethics and Integrity Commission, has stepped back from his role after investigations into alleged sexual misconduct while a detective.

Stuart Sterling, 48, has stepped down from his role as chief executive of the Ethics and Integrity Commission after investigations into alleged sexual misconduct emerged. The commission was established last year as part of the government's commitment to restore standards in public life and ensure what Sterling himself described as 'the highest standards of integrity and honesty'.

While working as a detective constable at Northamptonshire Police, Sterling was investigated twice for alleged misconduct involving female colleagues. In 2002, he was suspended on full pay after being accused of inappropriately touching a female colleague's breasts in a police station. The BBC reports that a male colleague who witnessed the incident reported Sterling to his superiors. Sterling admitted wrongdoing and underwent a full disciplinary hearing. He was given a financial penalty of two weeks' pay, which the BBC reports was the maximum sanction possible short of forced resignation. Northamptonshire Police chose not to pursue criminal proceedings and allowed Sterling to resume his duties at a different station.

Years later, in 2008, Sterling was investigated over a second allegation of sexual misconduct. The Mirror reports that this second probe was inconclusive. Sterling denies this allegation and insists he left the force voluntarily, though he has not confirmed whether he was under investigation at the time of his departure. An anti-corruption unit subsequently examined the circumstances in which he had been allowed to continue in his role after the first incident.

Before joining the civil service, Sterling held national security roles in the Cabinet Office and was seconded to the National Police Chiefs' Council. He was appointed OBE by the King in 2023. As head of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, he advised the prime minister on tackling misconduct in public life.

Following reports of the allegations, a Cabinet Office spokesman said: 'These are serious allegations. Stuart Sterling has stepped back from his role whilst we swiftly establish the facts.' The Independent understands that the pending investigation will assess whether correct information was provided before his appointment.

How it is being reported

• Government ethics chief accused of groping former police colleague’s breastsStuart Sterling leads the Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC), a body that works with the prime minister to promote the ‘highest standards in public life’The Independent · 14 Nov, 21:40
• UK ethics watchdog chief steps back from role over sexual misconduct claimsThe government says Stuart Sterling has stepped back from his role after claims made during the early 2000s emerged.BBC News · 14 Nov, 20:47
• Head of government’s ethics watchdog steps down after reports he left police over alleged sex assaultsIt emerged Stuart Sterling, the inaugural chief executive of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, was twice probed for alleged misconduct while a detective at Northamptonshire PoliceThe Mirror · 14 Nov, 20:27
• Government's ethics chief steps down after 'he once grabbed a colleague's breasts in a police station'Stuart Sterling has stepped down from the Ethics and Integrity Commission after it was revealed he once admitted grabbing a colleague's breasts in a police station.Daily Mail · 14 Nov, 18:39

In this story: Stuart Sterling · Ethics and Integrity Commission · Northamptonshire Police · UK

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