National Crime Agency officer to stand trial over alleged escort meet-ups

Simon Gaffney, a former operational officer based in Warrington, has been charged with two counts of misconduct in a public office following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The 54-year-old, of Coalport Walk in Rainhill, St Helens, is accused of having been in contact with and meeting escort workers during working hours in October 2018.

The two charges read that Gaffney, on October 4 and 29, 2018, ‘while acting as a public officer, namely an officer of the National Crime Agency, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by absenting himself from work in order to visit an escort or massage parlour’.

His alleged misconduct was initially investigated by the NCA’s anti-corruption unit before being referred to the IOPC.

Gaffney resigned from his post during the investigation and left the NCA in May 2019, the agency says.

Liverpool Crown Court

The IOPC’s investigation was the concluded in February 2020 and passed a file on to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges.

He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday, for a plea and trial preparation hearing in order to face the counts.

Here, he spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his not guilty pleas.

Judge David Aubrey fixed a trial date of October 17, 2022.

After Gaffney was charged, NCA director of investigations Nikki Holland said: “The NCA expects the highest standards of conduct and integrity from its officers.

“We know that more than ever it is vital that law enforcement is able to reassure the public regarding our personnel security processes, and the NCA is keeping these under regular review to ensure they are robust and resilient.”