SEPA chief steps down following ‘conduct allegations’

The Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has stepped down and left his position following “conduct allegations”, it was announced this afternoon.

The reasons behind the departure of Terry A’Hearn, who has been SEPA Chief Executive since 2015, have not been made public.

Bob Downes, Chairman of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirmed the news earlier today. He said: “Following conduct allegations, Terry A’Hearn has stepped down and left his position. SEPA has a clear Code of Conduct and takes conduct allegations very seriously indeed. In order to protect anonymity, SEPA is unable to comment further.”

Downes confirmed that recruitment for a new Chief Executive would shortly commence and in the interim, Chief Officer, Jo Green would be Acting Chief Executive, supported by SEPA’s Agency Management Team.

Last autumn it was announced that SEPA would take on a wider role as lead regulator with responsibility for protecting wild salmon and overseeing the environmental impact of fish farming in Scotland.