Mounted Girl Cop Switched From Elite Unit Over Affair With Married Colleague

Feb 24 2008 Exclusive by Norman Silvester

A MOUNTED policewoman has been ordered to hang up her saddle - for having an affair with a friend's husband.

WPC Alison Whyte, 34, is being kicked out of her unit by bosses after colleague Gary Kane, 45, left his wife Elaine for her.

They all worked together until WPC Elaine, 50, retired last year after 30 years service with Strathclyde Police's elite mounted branch.

Gary dropped a bombshell when he told her he was leaving last month, He moved out of their home in Beith, Ayrshire, and in to his lover's house in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire.

Strathclyde Police said Alison was being transferred to another division because they did not want partners working together.

Elaine and Gary had been allowed to work together because the ban was not applied retrospectively. Alison has been based at the horseback unit in Tradeston, Glasgow, for five years and regularly went on patrols with constable Gary and Elaine.

Elaine confirmed yesterday her husband of 15 years, who she met through work, had left her for her friend.

She added: My husband and I are no longer together but I don't want to comment."

A former colleague said: "This came out of the blue for Elaine.

"She's known Alison for years and saw her as a trusted friend.

"She has no idea when Gary's relationship with Alison started.

"She would hate to think they were having a secret affair when they were all working together.

"She thinks Gary must be going through some kind of mid-life crisis. If he is then he has ruined his life. Alison is much younger than him and Elaine can't see it lasting.

"Gary was due to retire in three years and Elaine was looking forward to spending more time with him.

"Their teenage daughter is also devastated they have split and all Elaine wants to do is protect her.

"She has now put all this in the hands of the lawyers."

Elaine also has an adult son with her first husband, policeman Graeme Simpson.

Gary has a 19-year-old daughter to his first wife Margaret, while Alison has a three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship with a detective.

Alison and Gary both declined to comment outside Alison's home.

Strathclyde Police said: "As part of our standard operating procedure, one of the officers is awaiting transfer."