The chairman of the central police works council has resigned following an investigation into the way the body’s budget was being spent.

Frank Giltay came under pressure to stand down after losing the support of most of his fellow council members after it emerged he had spend COR money on organising expensive parties and on charity auctions.

He also allegedly brought in an image coach and communications advisor and bought himself an expensive suit, all of which were paid for from the COR budget, according to the NRC.

In 2015, the body spent nearly €1.3m on bringing in external experts and meetings and the total spend was €236,000 over budget. ‘Rubber ducks, towels, Christmas wreathes and wine’ were also bought for council members from the budget, the NRC says.

Police chief Erik Akerboom launched an integrity investigation into Giltay’s spending earlier this month.

The works council represents all 65,000 police officers in negotiations with management on organisational and other issues affecting the police.