CHESHIRE Police’s Chief Constable is being investigated over his conduct.

David Keane, Police Commissioner for Cheshire, has ordered an independent inquiry into an allegation surrounding Simon Byrne.

Cheshire Police refused to comment on the exact nature of the allegation made.

Mr Keane said: “I can confirm that I have received an allegation against the Chief Constable, Simon Byrne.

"In the interest of openness and transparency, I referred this immediately to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who have now passed this case back to me for a local investigation.

"This investigation will be conducted independently of Cheshire Constabulary in accordance with the statutory police complaints process."

Chief Const Byrne’s long and distinguished career began in 1982 on the beat in the Paddington and the St John’s Wood area as a Metropolitan Police officer.

Three years later, he transferred to Merseyside Police where he worked in uniform, CID and at Headquarters.

In 2002 he took the lead role as the police commander for policing Knowsley, a particularly deprived area of Liverpool.

He transferred to Greater Manchester Police in 2009 as Deputy Chief Constable before returning to the Met in 2011.

There, Mr Byrne headed up the largest operational command in the country, running day-to-day policing in London and boosting neighbourhood policing teams across the capital.

In June 2014 he returned to his home county to be appointed Cheshire’s Chief Constable.

He also sits on the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, a body responsible for setting guidelines on sentencing in the courts.

Early this year Chief Const Byrne was invited to Buckingham Palace to accept the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) having been named in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours’ List.

The QPM is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom (and Commonwealth of Nations), for distinguished service or gallantry.

Referring to the police probe, Chief Const Byrne said: “I am aware that an allegation about my conduct is being investigated by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, in accordance with normal policy and procedure.

“I do not know the detail of the allegation so am unable to make any further comment at the moment.

“In the meantime, I remain focused on my work in keeping Cheshire safe and fulfilling my national responsibilities.”