A request for a judicial review has been submitted after a decision was made not to sack a top officer who wore fake medals.

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) has confirmed it is seeking a review of the decision to allow Superintendent Glenn McAleavey to keep his job.

Following a misconduct hearing last month, an independent panel found Supt McAleavey was in breach of professional standards for wearing medals which falsely implied he had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The panel decided to issue the firearms officer with a final written warning, meaning he would keep his job.

In an email sent on behalf of CNC's chief constable Simon Chesterman, which was leaked to The Whitehaven News, he informed staff and officers of his intention to seek a review.

The email said: "I want to make it clear that the honesty and integrity of police officers and staff is non-negotiable and I have initiated judicial review proceeding into the sanction applied by the independent panel."

A report published after the misconduct hearing held last month said Supt McAleavey served as Royal Marine before joining CNC in 2007. On April 4, 2012 he attended a private award ceremony hosted by the Chief Constable of Cumbria Police. It was at that ceremony that he wore medal ribbons representing military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, although he had not served in either conflict.

The panel found the actions were a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour concerning Honesty and Integrity and Discreditable Conduct and gave the final written warning.

CNC declined to offer further comment due to the ongoing proceedings.