Daniel Andrews calls Victorian police chief Graham Ashton ‘outstanding’

Victoria’s top cop has government’s backing despite his reported involvement in the Lawyer X scandal, Daniel Andrews says.

Daniel Andrews has given his backing to Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton. Picture: AAP

Melbourne’s top cop still has the backing of the Victorian government despite his reported involvement in the Lawyer X scandal, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has been under the spotlight since details of multiple convictions affected by a gangland lawyer-turned-police informant became public.

And it has since been reported he was involved in major murder and police corruption investigations involving Lawyer X, also known as Informer 3838.

But the Victorian Premier said Chief Commissioner Ashton was “outstanding” and that police use of Informer 3838 “occurred some time ago.”

“I have confidence in Graham as an outstanding leader of Victoria Police,” he told ABC radio.

“These issues occurred some time ago. We’ve wasted no time … in setting up a royal commission.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: AAP

Mr Andrews said the royal commissioners and framework of the inquiry will be released soon.

Meanwhile, former chief commissioner Simon Overland has also been under pressure to resign as chief executive of the Whittlesea local council, in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs.

Local councillors have reportedly said they were “unsafe” due to his continued presence, as he led Victoria Police at the height of the police use of Informer 3838, at the council and have boycotted council meetings.

Mr Andrews said he had no information that councillors’ safety were at risk.

“I have no advice that their safety is at risk but they’re free to have their own views,” he said.

“I don’t boycott meetings … my advice to anyone who’s got elected office is there’s plenty of work to do, and perhaps getting on with it is the best thing to do.”