LANCASHIRE Constabulary has drawn a veil of secrecy over the settlement between a woman PC and the man she accused of harassment, who later committed suicide.

This week police announced that a compromise has been agreed with PC Reehaina Saddique, who accused Paul Wilkinson, her colleague at Lea police station, of harassment. The terms of the agreement are covered by a confidentiality clause which is binding on both parties and as a result police have refused to comment on them.

Mr Wilkinson, 37, was cleared of the harassment claim after an internal disciplinary investigation early last year. But PC Saddique, from Accrington, decided to take the matter to an employment tribunal.

After Mr Wilkinson was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in a burnt-out car in a field in Bretherton, near Leyland, PC Saddique said she would continue her action.

Assistant chief constable at Lancashire Constabulary, Julia Hodson, said: "The case presents an opportunity to learn lessons about policy and procedures in circumstances involving alleged harassment and also about the support available to all those involved.

"The Constabulary will be looking closely at that over the months ahead to identify those lessons and make improvements where needed.

"The Constabulary recognises that a number of people may feel hurt and confused by the outcome of this case but asks everyone concerned to respect the privacy of the main parties concerned and to treat them with the consideration they themselves would expect in so sensitive a case."