Northern Ireland's police chief Sir Hugh Orde insisted today having a secret love child had no affect on his ability to do his job.
The married PSNI Chief Constable has been revealed as the father of a 16-month-old boy whose mother is an undercover detective in the Metropolitan Police with whom he had a long running affair.
Sir Hugh, who has a 21-year-old son with his wife Kathleen, insisted his family was aware of his baby son and were supportive. Sir Hugh said: "This is a personal and private matter which does not affect and has never affected my ability to do my job."
In a statement issued through PSNI headquarters he added: "My family are fully aware and supportive. I would ask that the privacy of all the individuals involved is respected."
The Police Service jumped to support their chief. Speaking on their behalf Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton said: "This is a private matter which has no bearing on the Chief Constable's professional ability.
"He is doing a fantastic job and has led this organisation through some challenging and difficult times.
"We have every confidence in him as Chief Constable of this Police Service." Sir Hugh (48) and the 41-year-old divorcee who also has a six year old daughter, met when she joined the special team headed by former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens looking into allegations of collusion between Northern Ireland police officers and loyalist paramilitaries.
At the time Sir Hugh was a Deputy Assistant Commissioner with the Met and won the top job with the PSNI while working on the Stevens Inquiry.
After moving with his family to live in Northern Ireland Sir Hugh, according to the News of the World, made clandestine visits to London to be with his lover.