Dead police chief may have had ‘affairs’

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, who was found dead yesterday after apparently committing suicide by throwing himself off a cliff in Snowdonia, is believed to have been involved in a number of extra-marital affairs. Sources claimed today that it was an "open secret" that Mike Todd (pictured) had had at least one such relationship with a woman police officer. There were also allegations that he was involved with a new female recruit to the force. There was further speculation in Manchester that a Sunday newspaper may have been planning an expose of the chief constable. A PR consultantsays he was approached last week by someone with a northern accent claiming to have a "damning story" that would "bring down a top copper". Todd’s body was found after an 16-hour search in appalling weather conditions after walkers found letters addressed by Todd to his family. More such letters were found near his body when it was eventually discovered. Todd lived in a flat in Manchester and spent weekends with his wife Carolyn, 47, and their three children at the family home in Nottinghamshire. It is believed that he recently returned from a make-or-break holiday with his wife. As a police officer, he had a formidable reputation and was considered the obvious candidate to succeed the controversial Sir Ian Blair when he eventually retires as Metropolitan Police Commissioner.