Todd inquest to ignore private life

11:02am Saturday 30th August 2008

The inquest into the death of Greater Manchester Chief Constable Michael Todd will not delve into his private life and reported affairs, the coroner for the hearing has confirmed.

North West Wales Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said about 12 witnesses including work colleagues were due to be heard at the inquest on October 6.

The death of Mr Todd, 50, a married father of three, was followed by a number of disclosures about his private life.

It was reported that he may have killed himself because an affair with a leading businesswoman was about to be uncovered.

Other reports suggested Mr Todd had been involved in affairs with several women, including police officers and a personal assistant.

The Sun has reported that none of Mr Todd's mistresses were included in the witnesses due to be called for the inquest.

Mr Pritchard Jones said he would not say if Mr Todd's wife Carolyn was included on the list of witnesses for the inquest.

Mr Todd, once tipped for the top job at Scotland Yard, was widely regarded as one of the country's most talented senior police officers.

He disappeared on March 10 after speaking of personal troubles to senior colleagues. His body was found on Mount Snowdon in North Wales the next day.

Tests showed he was over the legal drink-drive limit, but the exact cause of death has not been established.