Manchester police chief's widow defends 'loving' husband
Greater Manchester police chief constable Michael Todd's body was found on Tuesday
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Thursday, 13, Mar 2008 02:47
The widow of Greater Manchester police chief constable Michael Todd has paid tribute to her husband.
Contrary to reports that the couple had separated, Carolyn Todd claimed her husband was a loving husband and a caring father to their three children Catherine, 16, and twins David and Mathew, 13.
Ms Todd said today: "Michael was a caring and loving father and husband. He was immensely proud of his kids.
"He worked away from home on the second most important thing in his life, his job, returning to us at the weekend and for family holidays. The family recently returned from a holiday in Jamaica.
"I loved Michael very much and the last time I spoke to him he told me he loved me too. We have been married for 27 years and eight months," she said.
"The whole family is struggling to come to terms with his death and we would ask the media to leave us to grieve in peace."
The inquest into the death of the Greater Manchester police chief began today.
A post-mortem yesterday revealed Mr Todd, whose body was found on Snowdonia on Tuesday, had "no obvious cause of death".
Police sources have said the police chief sent "worrying texts" to family members on Monday as he went walking in the Welsh mountains while off-duty.
But GMP have denied any written notes were found on his body, which was discovered on Bwlch Glas mountain.
Reports had previously claimed Mr Todd had feared his affair with a Manchester businesswoman was going to be exposed.
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has given its full backing to its chief executive Angie Robinson.
"Angie Robinson is unavailable for comment," a spokesperson said.
"However she has the full support of the chamber in her role as chief executive."
GMP have led tributes to its chief constable, whose contribution to policing in the UK has also been hailed by the prime minister and the home secretary.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson said Mr Todd was one of the world's best police officers and had "put the great back into Greater Manchester".
"Michael came to Greater Manchester Police because he wanted to make it one of the world's greatest police forces and I believe he has achieved that," he added.