The partner of former Wiltshire Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth has attacked comments made by the Unison union as “inaccurate” and “disrespectful” following an inquest this week.

Mr Ainsworth, 49, hanged himself in the garage of his home in Potterne, near Devizes, on March 22 last year – six months after Wiltshire Police Authority started an investigation into allegations he sexually harassed female members of staff at police headquarters in Devizes.

The officer feared he would lose his job and took his own life, Wiltshire Coroner David Ridley ruled at the inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall on Wednesday.

Following the inquest, Unison said that Wiltshire Police had failed the women who accused Mr Ainsworth of sexual harassment.

But speaking at her Westbury home on Wednesday, former partner Jo Howes said: “I’ve read today the statements and comments made by members of Unison which I consider to be wholly inaccurate, in particular from Ben Priestley of Unison, who said: ‘The death of David Ainsworth is a personal tragedy. There is also no doubt that the women who were subjected to sexual harassment by Mr Ainsworth were badly let down by the police service and the way it responds to unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.’ “Firstly David Ainsworth was more than a personal tragedy, it is widely agreed that he was a great loss to the police service.

“Secondly there were allegations made about David, but there was never any proof that he sexually harassed anyone. He wasn’t found guilty of that as things never got that far. It is misleading of them to continue to make these comments and particularly disrespectful today at the end of his inquest.”

The coroner said he was satisfied Wiltshire Police had put in place welfare arrangements for Mr Ainsworth that were focused on addressing his needs but Miss Howes is unhappy it did not examine his state of mind She said: “I think David’s state of mind was as a result of the way he was being investigated. I don’t feel David was able to have faith in the welfare arrangements made for him because he was already undermined by what was happening to him.

Ms Howes has made complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and said she and Mr Ainsworth’s family had not been given a report into the investigation by South Wales Police.

Mr Ainsworth’s estranged wife, Emma Ainsworth, who lives in Maidstone, Kent, said after the inquest: “We still really don’t understand how his death could have happened. Our lives will never be the same.” His father Stanley Ainsworth added: “I don’t feel David was treated well by the police. It would appear there were a lot of procedures in place. I don’t think anyone noticed his physical deterioration.”

Wiltshire Police Authority chairman Chris Hoare said: “Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies are with David’s family, partner Jo and friends. This has been an exceptionally difficult period for all concerned, not only for David’s family, partner and friends, but also for many within our organisation.”

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