Jim Colwell, who is acting in the role after suspension of predecessor, is also being investigated in another matter

The acting chief constable of Devon and Cornwall has been suspended from his £180,000 a year job over claims he misused his work phone, just 18 months after his predecessor was removed from office.

Jim Colwell has been placed under investigation for gross misconduct by the police watchdog, triggering fears the force in south-west England may go into “freefall”, according to one senior policing source.