Police misconduct in Katie Simpson investigation

Police officers "committed misconduct" in the initial stages of the investigation into the 2020 murder of showjumper Katie Simpson, the chief constable has told the Policing Board.

Jon Boutcher said the PSNI had received a 1,400 page Police Ombudsman report.

Ms Simpson's murder was originally thought by police to have been a suicide.

Mr Boutcher said the misconduct identified by the ombudsman was not "gross or criminal".

Responding to a question from Alliance MLA and board member Nuala McAllister, he added that a disciplinary process is under way within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Ms Simpson died in August 2020.

The trial of a man for the murder of Ms Simpson ended abruptly last week after the defendant, Jonathan Cresswell, was found dead.