THE organisation which investigates possible misconduct by police forces has cleared the Avon and Somerset Constabulary after its officers were in contact with a man who was later suspected to have killed himself in a fire on Exmoor.

Tests were still being carried out this week on human remains found in the ashes of Hiccombe House, Brompton Regis, to determine if they were those of retired Metropolitan Police officer and counter-terrorism expert Malcolm Baker, aged 60.

Mr Baker has not been seen since the fire destroyed his home on the evening of September 14.

The Avon and Somerset force self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of what it described as ‘prior contact’ with Mr Baker.

On Thursday, an IOPC spokesperson told the Free Press: “After carefully assessing the referral, we have decided that no IOPC investigation is required and we have returned the matter to the police force to deal with as they see fit.”