'Suicide' Shock As Orde's Friend Dies

A fellow top cop and friend of PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, has been found dead.

A post mortem is due to be carried out on the body of Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd.

An athlete, keen walker and marathon runner, often competing alongside Hugh Orde, the 50-year-old married father-of-three was found dead at the foot of a cliff near Bwlch Glas in Snowdon on Tuesday afternoon.

Both Orde and Todd were mentioned as possible contenders to become the UK's "top cop" when Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Ian Blair stands down.

Mr Todd had been Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police since 2002, having previously been an Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police.

Known as an ebullient and tireless detective, the 50-year-old, who had worked his way through the ranks in London and Nottingham, hit the headlines last year when he volunteered to be shot with a 50,000-volt Taser gun in an attempt to dispel concerns about their safety.

Sir Hugh Orde has since defied the NI Policing Board and gone ahead with the introduction of the 'non fatal' weapons in Northern Ireland before members were satisfied over human rights issues.

However, Mr Todd had been reported missing on Monday night. It is believed that he may have committed suicide.

According to reports, letters addressed to his family were found near his body, while other reports indicated that his behaviour over the past few days had caused concern to those close to him.

There has also been speculation that a Sunday newspaper may have been planning an expose on him.

An inquest into his death is due to be opened and adjourned today and his body will also be formally identified.

Politicians and colleagues have paid tributes to Mr Todd. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Chief Constable Todd has had a long and distinguished career in various forces and has contributed greatly to the fight against crime and terrorism."

Dave Whatton, Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: "As you can imagine all of his friends and colleagues are extremely upset. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and I would ask that they be left in peace to come to terms with this tragic shock."

Ken Jones, Association of Chief Police Officers President, said: "Mike has made an enormous contribution to policing in Manchester and nationally throughout his distinguished career.

"The news of his death is a tragedy and he will be greatly missed by chief officer colleagues and all who worked with him during his career."

(BMcC)