THE former chief constable of Police Scotland has reportedly secured a new job inspecting forces south of the border despite quitting amid bullying claims.

Phil Gormley, who stood down in February while facing five misconduct probes, is to become an inspector of constabulary in England and Wales, the BBC has reported.

He quit after saying it would have been impossible to return to work after half a year on special leave, and always denied any wrongdoing.

However the investigations into his behaviour were never concluded.

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Unlike in England, where officers can be pursued for gross misconduct after they resign or retire, in Scotland the police watchdog automatically dropped its investigations when he quit.

Mr Gormley, a former chief constable of Norfolk Constabulary, took up the £212,000 role at Police Scotland in January 2016, but was soon the subject of multiple complaints.

By July last year, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) has launched a probe into alleged misconduct, following a referral by the force’s oversight body, the Scottish Police Authority.

After further complaints from senior staff followed, he stepped aside as chief constable in September 2017.

His wife suggested in a newspaper interview he was being  treated as an “outsider” because he was English.

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It is understood his new role will involve assessing and reporting on the efficiency and effectiveness of 12 police forces in the north of England and will start on October 22.

From 2003 to 2007, Mr Gormley was a Commander in the Metropolitan Police, overseeing special branch at a time when the shadowy Special Demonstration Squad was in operation.

The unit employed controversial tactics including officers using the identities of dead children and having serious relationships with members of groups they were spying on.

Mr Gormley has denied any knowledge of the methods, which are now the major focus of a public inquiry into undercover policing.

If confirmed, Mr Gormley’s new role would be with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

The body is headed by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services Sir Tom Winsor.

In addition, there are currently four HM Inspectors of Constabulary. Mr Gormley would be the only HM Inspector to have worked as a police officer.

The HMICFRS website said that inspectors are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Home Secretary and Prime Minister.

As independent holders of public office under the Crown, appointed under Royal Warrant, they are neither civil servants nor police officers.

Mr Gormley's predecessor as chief of Police Scotland Sir Stephen House also left the job amid controversy over the death of a woman who was left critically injured in a car wreck for three days.

Sir Stephen House exited in 2015 following outrage over the deaths of Lamara Bell, 25, and her partner John Yuill, 28, who lay undiscovered in a vehicle near Stirling despite a call from a member of the public.

He was brought to Scotland Yard in March to tackle disclosure of evidence as several hundred rape cases were reviewed by the force.

It was announced earlier this month that he will become Deputy Commissioner in the New Year.

Mr Gormley’s former deputy, Iain Livingstone, was confirmed as Police Scotland’s new chief constable in August