Northern Ireland’s police chief has resigned, bowing to mounting pressure after a string of scandals.
Simon Byrne announced his resignation after an emergency meeting of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s oversight body, capping a tumultuous month for the force after it accidentally posted personal details of its nearly 10,000 officers and staff on the internet in August, exposing them to potential security threats.
Byrne faced a vote of no confidence at the police board in the coming days, brought by the pro-UK Democratic Unionist party. Officers and civilian staff were mulling similar votes.
Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents rank-and-file officers, said Byrne’s position had become “questionable and then untenable”.
Read more about Northern Ireland’s police chief here.