Senior police officer accused of wearing ‘fake’ Falklands War medal denies making false claims in books that he saw comrades die

A “WALTER Mitty” police chief has denied making false claims in books about two murdered police officers that he saw Falklands comrades die.

A misconduct panel was told that chief constable Nick Adderley, 57, lied about his career in the Royal Navy to get his £168,000-a-year job.

He reportedly wore a South Atlantic medal for service in the Falklands War in 1982, despite being 15 years old at the time.

Yesterday it was said that two books about the murders of gangster Dale Cregan’s PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone portrayed him as a seasoned veteran.

Adderley’s defense said the quotes were not genuine and were taken from local news articles.

But prosecutors said he failed to correct them.

Prosecutor John Beggs KC said: “Mr Adderley was the first person to be thanked on the cover of the book.

“Obviously he must have known about both books.

“In accordance with standards of professional behavior, he had a duty to correct the record where it was wrong.

“You can be sure this could easily have been done by nothing more than an email.

“It would take five minutes to put together.”

Adderley denies serious misconduct.

The hearing in Northampton continues.