By Brendan Anderson

POLICE Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Constable Hugh Orde looks set to remain in place as the north’s most senior police officer despite his recent admission that he fathered a child outside marriage.

Last weekend Orde admitted that he has a 16-month-old son with a female police officer in England. Orde said that his wife Kathleen and 21-year-old son were aware of the situation and supported him.

“This is a personal and private matter which doesn’t affect and never affected my ability to do my job,” he said. “My family are fully aware and supportive. I would ask that the privacy of all the individuals involved is respected.”

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain said Orde had his “unequivocal support” and was recognized as an officer of “immense ability and professionalism.”

“It is in no small measure due to that leadership that for the first time in Northern Ireland we have all party support for policing,” he said.

“Neither Hugh nor the government will be deflected by what is a private matter from continuing to build on what he is achieving with the PSNI.”

Orde’s four year contract as chief constable of the PSNI, worth more than £500,000, ends in August but can be extended by the Policing Board. The board has already voiced its support for Orde in relation to his admission that he fathered a son out of wedlock.

However, it is unclear if the admission will affect the 48 yearold’s chances of becoming the most senior police officer in Britain.

Orde is seen as a front-runner to take as commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in London if, as expected, current police chief Ian Blair steps down in the near future.

Orde and the 41-year-old divorcee, who also has a six year-old daughter, met when he was a deputy assistant commissioner in London, where she worked as a detective constable.

The Irish News of the World, which broke the story on Sunday, said the woman asked Orde if he would father a child, and he agreed. “She fell pregnant shortly after and had a beautiful baby boy. But what news of his existence will do for Sir Hugh’s career is anyone’s guess,” a source told the tabloid. “The fact he’s got a secret son tucked away somewhere in the home counties does not look good on the CV.”

Unusually, none of the political parties in the North have chosen to make any comment on the issue.