Scotland’s chief constable will stay in post while he is investigated for gross misconduct over claims he repeatedly shouted at a senior colleague.

Despite calls for his suspension, Phil Gormley was last night told by his main civilian watchdog that he could remain in position pending an independent bullying probe.

The chief constable, who is half way through a three-year contract, has been accused of ‘losing the rag’ with a superintendent in his own office.

He now faces weeks - and possibly longer - working alongside colleagues who are being interviewed by the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner or Pirc about his conduct.

Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called for Mr Gormley to “stand aside” until the matter is resolved. Police officers are usually only suspended if accused of a crime.

The Scottish Police Authority, which asked Pirc to investigate, held an emergency meeting on Thursday to decide whether Mr Rennie was right. It opted to keep Mr Gormley on.

SPA deputy chairwoman Nicola Marchant said: “At this stage, and having carefully considered and balanced the various investigatory and public interest criteria within the regulations, the SPA takes the view that a suspension is not appropriate. She added: “As with any process of this nature, that is an issue we will keep under review.”

The investigation - which comes after a complaint by the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents on behalf of one of its members - could lead to his dismissal if the allegations are proved.

However, policing insiders stress that any evidence that Mr Gormley loses his temper, even if this did not amount to misconduct, will throw up doubts about his suitability for a job which demands a cool head.

Neither Police Scotland nor the SPA would comment on any detail of the allegations, which first emerged on Wednesday.

The probe comes as the national force faces what the politician who did most to create it, former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill called a potential “leadership gap.”

Writing in The Herald, Mr MacAskill stressed that Mr Gormley is losing his deputy - and one time rival for the top job - Iain Livingstone, who will retire in the autumn. “With other senior officers going or gone, the leadership team is being stretched,” Mr MacAskill said. The SPA’s chairman, Andrew Flanagan, has also announced he is stepping down.

That, added veteran police watcher and former Chief Superintendent Niven Rennie, would add to the dilemma the SPA faced on whether to suspend Mr Gormley. Suspending Mr Gormley - assuming circumstances merited it - could leave a departing deputy in charge.

Mr Rennie said: “The SPA have a very difficult balancing act. They have got to weigh up removing the leader of the organisation, which is politically difficult, and they will not want to be seen to prejudge the issue.

“On the other hand they will leave Mr Gormley working with people who are potential witnesses.”

Crucially, the officer on whose behalf complaints have been made is not currently working at HQ, the drafty Tulliallan Castle, which also doubles as Mr Gormley’s home.

Mr Gormley released a statement on Wednesday. “In fairness to others who may be involved, it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

“I would like to stress that I remain focussed on leading Police Scotland, ensuring that we continue to serve and protect the people of this country.”

A 2015 allegation of misconduct against Assistant Chief constable Wayne Mawson took a year to resolve. Mr Mawson was moved from an operational job before being reinstated after being found not guilty of cheating on a command course.