The chief executive of Northern Ireland's Policing Board has quit, it emerged tonight.
Less than a year after he took up the £70,000 a year post, Mr Bob McCann has decided to resign from the authority for personal reasons.
His decision stunned members of the board, which holds Chief Constable Hugh Orde to account. One source said: "This has shocked us all because Bob had been doing a fine job. We want to know what the reasons behind this are."
Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea had planned to announce the departure at a public meeting in Belfast next week.
He said tonight: "During his period with the board, Bob contributed a great deal to the effective and efficient running of the Board's organisation.
"He had most notably drove the independent strategic review of the board's organisation.
"On behalf of the board and members of staff, I would like to thank him for his commitment and hard work, and wish him well for the future."
Mr McCann joined the board last August after leaving computer systems firmSX3.
It is understood he is on holiday at present, but a brief statement issued by the board said he would be leaving in September to pursue a number of personalprojects.
In his short time overseeing the work of the 19-member body, which has dealt with hugely contentious policing issues, he managed to impress all factions.
"We are all gutted that he has quit. He was brilliant," said one.
PA