Sir James Anderton, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, has died at the age of 89. Sir James led Greater Manchester Police between 1975 and 1991 and became one of the country's most high profile police chiefs.
Known for his controversial opinions and hard line views, he inspired a Happy Mondays track and once had his job saved by Margaret Thatcher. He had faced calls to step down after claiming that victims of Aids were in a 'human cesspool of their own making'.
Current GMP chief constable Stephen Watson has led tributes, describing him as a 'public servant of significant stature'. Sir James was well regarded by many police officers who regarded him as a 'copper's copper', but also severely criticised by others for his views.
