SCOTLAND’S top cop Phil Gormley has taken a leave of absence.
It comes amid a probe into accusations of gross misconduct.
Complaints of bullying have been made against Chief Constable Gormley in recent weeks.
And the PIRC announced today that it was launching ANOTHER probe into more "gross misconduct" allegations made to the top cop.
It emerged back in July that a senior officer behind one of the allegations served as Mr Gormley's top aide.
Superintendent Graham McInarlin, 54, was the Chief Constable’s head of executive support for just six months.
Last month Mr Gormley faced fresh allegations of bullying from a female officer.
And today he announced he is stepping aside as the probe continues.
A statement said: “I have been notified by the SPA of a complaint made against me. This complaint originates from a member of the Force Executive.
“In the interests of the office of Chief Constable and the broader interests of Police Scotland, I have sought and been granted special leave to enable this matter to be properly assessed.
"I deny and reject the allegations and will co-operate with the SPA’s assessment and procedures.
"It is my intention to resume my full duties when this matter has been resolved.”
The decision follows calls from Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie for Mr Gormley to step aside during the investigation.
Responding to the news that the Police Scotland boss has decided to take a leave of absence while he is under investigation, Mr Rennie said: "It has taken too long but Phil Gormley has made the right decision to temporarily stand aside and I commend him on that.
"The investigation needs to be completed effectively and swiftly so that a police Scotland can move on.
"There is a lot to fix in Police Scotland and we need effective leadership to fix it."
It's the latest controversy to emerge from the crisis-hit force in 2017.
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