THE Scottish Police Authority chair is embroiled in fresh controversy after it emerged that one of his colleagues was given a £173,000 a year job at the single force.

In August, the SPA's Andrew Flanagan said he was “delighted” to unveil David Page as Police Scotland’s first Director of Corporate Services, Strategy and Change.

However, it has now been confirmed that Flanagan and Page were both board members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) at the time of the hire.

The appointments panel chaired by Flanagan also allowed Page to apply for the lucrative job after the deadline.

Gerry Crawley, a regional secretary at the trade union Unison, said: "It is vital that the highest standards are maintained in any appointment process and that the integrity of the SPA recruitment processes are maintained and not open to question".

As the oversight body for the single force, the SPA plays a key role in the appointments process for senior staff and helps set the Police Scotland budget.

However, the SPA has been criticised for the quality of its financial scrutiny and its commitment to transparency.

Page was brought in last year as part of the SPA’s attempt at overhauling policing north of the border. Announcing the Page appointment, Flanagan said at the time: "I am delighted that we have secured David Page for this new and key role within the Chief Constable's leadership team.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of leading successful programmes of change in large organisations, and he has all the necessary leadership skills to adapt and transfer that track record of achievement into the organisation of policing.”

The Herald:

Picture: David Page

Page had previously been at Standard Life and Royal Bank of Scotland and his post was the most senior civilian staff role ever created in Scottish policing.

In the same press release, the SPA added: “The appointment of Mr Page completes a process of significant refresh and renewal of the Police Scotland leadership team led by the SPA Chair Andrew Flanagan.”

However, the SPA did not mention that the two men knew each other from being non-executive directors at CICA.

A spokesperson for the CICA said Flanagan was still in post, but Page had resigned and would be leaving soon.

In a statement, an SPA spokesperson said: “David Page applied for the role as Deputy Chief Officer in the normal way and went through exactly the same process as all other candidates. From the outset Andrew Flanagan made other appointment panel members aware of his knowledge of David."

“The Chair also abstained from expressing his views about David Page until after all other members had made their decision. David was the unanimous choice of the interview panel which was made up of two other SPA members, the Chief Constable and the Deputy Chief Constable Designate.”

On Page being allowed to apply after the deadline, the spokesperson said: “In support of the SPA's recruitment campaign seeking suitable applications for a Deputy Chief Officer, the SPA engaged the services of an independent recruitment firm with knowledge and experience of the market.

“It is not uncommon for applications to come in through this route beyond the advertised deadline and following consideration of submitted applications, the panel welcomed late applications of suitably qualified candidates.”

“We can confirm that one application from David Page was recommended by the recruitment firm for inclusion after the deadline and accepted by the panel before the process of assessment and interviews commenced.”

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "It is clear that we need to see far greater transparency at the top of the Scottish Police Authority. Since its creation it has faced claims of being a dysfunctional and ineffective body and just last year Audit Scotland criticised its weak financial leadership and management.

"These revelations will only cast further doubt amongst the public regarding its effectiveness to manage our police force."