HAMPSHIRE'S top police officer has rejected calls for a public inquiry into a school hit by sex abuse claims.

Chief constable of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Andy Marsh, who was cleared of any wrongdoing surrounding police inquiries into Stanbridge Earls, said there was no need for such an inquiry as it was clear what lessons needed to be learnt.

He was speaking at a public meeting with Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes, during which he was questioned on confidence in the force.

Daily Echo: Stanbridge Earls School

Stanbridge Earls School near Romsey was subject to allegations of sex abuse

Several questions were fired at him regarding the allegations surrounding the school, near Romsey that was closed last year, and was asked if such an inquiry was needed to ensure lessons are learnt.

Mr Marsh said: “I have to say my understanding of it is that the lessons are laid bare.”

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Mr Marsh was under investigation by Essex Police on behalf of Mr Hayes, amid breach of confidentiality and contempt of court claims.

But last month the senior investigating officer notified Mr Hayes that there were no grounds to justify the serving of misconduct notices upon the chief constable.

And this week Mr Marsh received a letter from Essex police, confirming they found no evidence of wrong doing and stated that he had “conducted himself entirely properly”.

Mr Marsh said he welcomed the outcome of the investigation, and thanked everybody for their support over the recent months.

He added: “Effective policing requires high public confidence across our communities. This trust helps police to protect vulnerable people and to create a hostile environment for the most serious criminals.”