Hampshire: Police leader’s advances ‘made woman uncomfortable’

Previously the tribunal heard he spoke to colleagues about Ms Harper in 2020, saying: “I’d like to comfort her in my hotel room.”

He is also alleged to have commented on a pregnant woman’s figure in 2019, telling her: “Maybe you’ll get a bum now.”

Barrister Cecily White, presenting charges of gross misconduct, said Mr Apter was socialising in London before a Police Federation of England and Wales awards ceremony in December 2021.

She said the chairman bought a woman a bottle of Prosecco in a pub “when he bought individual drinks for everyone else” and topped up her glass three times.

The group moved to the restaurant where Mr Apter stood at the bar with his hands on the woman’s hips, the tribunal heard.

PC Jon Carter-Lang told the hearing the woman, who had been smiling and laughing, suddenly looked “uncomfortable”.

He said she had been “touchy-feely” and “flirtatious” throughout the evening and at one point placed her hand on Mr Apter’s chest.