The Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC) has resigned after it emerged he has become the subject of a criminal investigation.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she had taken immediate action after she learnt of the allegations faced by Mr Lockwood.

He had earlier said he was stepping down for “personal and domestic reasons”.

The Homne Secretary said: “I have accepted Michael Lockwood’s resignation as Director General of the IOPC.

“I took immediate action upon being made aware that Mr Lockwood was the subject of a police investigation into an historical allegation, and instructed my officials to ask him to resign or face immediate suspension from his role.

MORE UK SECURITY NEWS

“Home Office staff are working at pace with the IOPC’s Unitary Board to put in place temporary arrangements for the organisation’s leadership.”

Mr Lockwood was the first DG of the IOPC when it replaced the Independent Police Complaints Commission four years ago.

In his statement on Friday, he said: “It is with great sadness that I have decided to resign as Director General of the IOPC for personal and domestic reasons, and this will be effective from today.

“It has been an enormous privilege to serve as the first Director General of the IOPC and to have led the organisation for the past five years.

“I am proud of the progress we have made and I am grateful to all our staff, the Unitary Board and external stakeholders for all their support.

“The Unitary Board will now work with the Home Office to put in place new leadership arrangements as quickly as possible.”

Before joining the IPOC he was the chief executive of London Borough of Harrow , north west London.