DAVID Keane will be grilled on why he brought forward the failed gross misconduct hearing against chief constable Simon Byrne next February.

The police and crime commissioner for Cheshire told the county’s police and crime panel he had prepared to be questioned on the issue at Friday’s meeting in Runcorn.

But chairman Bob Fousert said the panel needed more time to scrutinise the findings of the misconduct hearing, which were only made available on Tuesday afternoon in a 21-page report.

“[The report] raises a range of issues which I am sure that panel members would wish to discuss with the commissioner,” he said.

“Let me assure you that the panel takes its scrutiny responsibilities very seriously.

“I believe that my proposal will allow all panel members the opportunity to properly study the findings and any other background information that is requested, in order for them to carry out their role in both a comprehensive and fair manner, with regard for all the facts.”

Mr Byrne was cleared of all 74 charges brought against him at the misconduct hearing – which has cost taxpayers £350,000.

He had been suspended from his duties by Mr Keane last August following an investigation into his conduct.

Mr Keane, who is also a Labour councillor in Warrington, told the panel: “I did come today prepared to have a full and in-depth discussion regarding the proceedings that have taken place over the last two years.

“My interest in this has always been, both in the investigation and in my dealings with this panel, to be open and transparent.

“There are various questions which have been asked that I would very much like to answer.”

At a Cheshire East Council meeting on Thursday, Cllr Paul Findlow, Conservative, said Mr Keane had ‘pertinent and serious questions to answer’ over the misconduct hearing after he was asked whether the panel would push a no confidence vote in Mr Keane.

He told the panel on Friday that he would welcome the opportunity to consider the advice Mr Keane was given before he pursued Mr Byrne’s misconduct hearing ahead of February’s police and crime panel.

Cllr Dave Thompson, Labour from Halton, added that the role of North Yorkshire Police – which carried out the initial investigation into Mr Byrne’s behaviour – needed to be scrutinised.

He said: “I think it goes beyond the PCC. Essential to what has happened is the role of North Yorkshire Police – I don’t think that can be overlooked.”

Mr Keane added that it would be ‘unlikely’ that the Home Office would contribute towards the cost of the misconduct hearing.

The police and crime panel meeting where Mr Keane will be questioned on the hearing will take place at 10am on February 8, 2019, at Wyvern House, in Winsford.