Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith has published his response to Cllr George Finch's open letter, dated 16/02/26:

Sent via email: [email protected]
20th February 2026

Dear Cllr Finch,

I was somewhat surprised to receive your recent letter dated 16th February, and I’m sure it was pure coincidence that it arrived shortly after I publicly announced my intention to pursue opportunities outside of policing. If you had questions relating to this case, I am surprised you did not raise them when we met just two months ago.

Although I do not report to you, out of courtesy I will take this opportunity to address a couple of your questions. The letter I sent to you on 5th Aug 2025 was both authored and signed by me. I stand by every element of the content and most certainly will not be issuing an apology. As the letter named the individuals charged, it was removed from the Warwickshire Police website after 28 days in accordance with agreed procedures.

As I explained in my subsequent letter on 8th Aug 2025, I have no idea who spoke with the Daily Mail, and neither is it of relevance. Newspapers regularly report on matters using unnamed sources. What was relevant, was you as a senior public official who had been briefed on the horrific reported rape of a 12-year-old girl talking about the case, ahead of court proceedings, during a televised political party press conference on Law and Order on 4th Aug 2025. You revealed the immigration status of the individuals charged and you incorrectly aged the victim as a 13-year-old. The recordings of that press conference and your specific comments are a matter of public record.
As you well know, and whilst you may not like it, Warwickshire Police followed national guidance and our focus remained on getting justice for the victim and protecting the public.

As you have asked, I can confirm that very same week I chose to fly home early from a family holiday as I considered it important to show visible and supportive leadership to the many officers who were policing the Warwickshire based protest on 9th Aug. I don’t recall seeing your presence on the day or in the immediate days after. In case you are wondering, I can assure you I received no recompense for my cancelled holiday and nor would I expect to given my role and my commitment to the communities of Warwickshire.

I value constructive dialogue with partner organisations, so if you have further questions, I suggest you share them with the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner who is responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account. I am quite sure he will willingly fulfil his obligations to hold me to account on matters that he deems necessary.

For many years, Warwickshire Police has enjoyed strong working relationships across the county, which of course includes the County Council under CEO Monica Fogarty’s excellent leadership. If I don’t see or speak with you before I leave office, I wish you well and as a Warwickshire resident will watch with interest as to how and when you will be delivering against your many improvement pledges for the Warwickshire public.

Finally, given you felt it necessary to publish your letter to me, no doubt to ensure ‘transparency’, I thought it only courteous to do likewise with my response. For the avoidance of doubt, this letter was authored and signed by me.

Yours sincerely

Alex Franklin-Smith
Chief Constable

Cc:
Philip Seccombe – Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Monica Fogarty – CEO, Warwickshire County Council

Open letter from Cllr George Finch, dated 16/02/26