Police chief sparks outrage after wearing Falklands Service medal despite never serving in war
Nick Adderley, 57, has been Northamptonshire’s Chief Constable since 2018
PA
A leading police chief has sparked outraged after wearing a Falklands Service medal despite never serving in the United Kingdom’s two-month war with Argentina.
Nick Adderley, 57, who has been Northamptonshire’s Chief Constable since 2018, was just 15-years-old when Margaret Thatcher sent British troops to the South Atlantic in 1982.
Video footage showed Adderley donning the South Atlantic Medal given to British military personnel who served in the conflict.
He is now facing accusations of “stolen valour”, prompting a gross misconduct board hearing which could result in his dismissal.
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Adderley, a married father-of-two, who was previously among the frontrunners to replace Dame Cressida Dick at Scotland Yard, was alleged to have worn the medal at a series of events.
Events included the Police Bravery Awards earlier this year.
Adderley is understood to have enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1984 at the age of 18.
He was in the cadets from the age of 15, including when war broke out in the Falkland Islands.
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Chief Constable Nick Adderley (pictured) is accused of stolen valour for wearing the South Atlantic medal (far left)
POLICE FEDERATION
Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West, awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in the Falklands, told The Sun: “It's very unfortunate when someone wears a medal they are not entitled to.
“They are misleading themselves and misleading people around them, especially if they are in a position of authority.”
A Northamptonshire Police press release from July said he served “in the Navy for ten years including the Falklands”.
However, The Sun has claimed the press release has since been removed.
Welsh Guards with the British Falkland Islands Task Force
PA
An investigation from the IOPC was reportedly launched after receiving a tip-off from the local Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner.
Rear Admiral Doctor Chris Parry, who fought in the Falklands War, helping sink an enemy submarine, asked: “If a person lies about their medals what else would they lie about?”
Chief Constable Adderley also said he was “proud to of his service for the cadets, Royal Navy and police, revealing he also wears medals awarded to his brothers with no further clarification.
He added: “I wear all my medals with pride and have always worn the two medals my brothers gave me to wear when one became critically ill and one emigrated, alongside my own.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman with Northamptonshire Police's chief constable Nick Adderley during a visit to Northamptonshire Police's Giffard House Training Centre
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“Having been made aware of this complaint, which has a private family impact upon me personally, I immediately took advice last week regarding the protocol and have changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn.
“I look forward to providing the IOPC with a fulsome response at the earliest opportunity and I fully appreciate that they have a job to do.”
The House of Commons has addressed the legality of stolen valour.
It said: “In the UK, it is no longer an offence for individuals to wear medals or decorations that they were not awarded.
“It is, though, an offence to wear a military medal without permission.”
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