Ex-police who could 'barely turn on a phone' paid thousands for spying project

Retired cops earned thousands from a cyber project previously staffed by volunteers, it is claimed.

Whistleblowers claim ex-cops netted up to £650 a day on Home Office-backed scheme Cyber Specials Cyber Volunteers.

They took roles formerly filled by people enlisted from spy base GCHQ.

But some, it is suggested, did not understand the technology – and one could “barely switch on a mobile phone”.

The project was aimed at tackling finance crime and the hacking of X-rated pictures from women’s mobile phones.

They took roles formerly filled by people enlisted from spy base GCHQ (PA)

Scott McGready has spoken out about the lack of skills demonstrated by some of the former cops involved (Shutterstock)

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is probing claims some roles in the Gloucestershire Police scheme were not advertised – and had not previously attracted pay.

One source believes around £175,000 a year was diverted to pay consultants.

Scott McGready, who quit the project after making allegations, said: “One former officer on a conference call said ‘I can’t get into my laptop… it has run out of passwords’.

“That’s something that my mother wouldn’t even say.

“GCHQ scientists did this at night to give back to the community.

“Then people who didn’t understand technology were drafted in.”

Gloucestershire Police said it had referred two complaints to the IOPC.