The Cambridge Evening News secured an exclusive interview with shamed chief constable Tom Lloyd just hours after he resigned over allegations of behaving inappropriately during a drinking session at a police conference.

The former police chief informed the force press office that the only one-to-one interview he would give after his shock announcement would be with Evening News news editor John Deex.

It formed the centre piece of a five-page special edition for the next day’s paper, as well as being teased on its website from 10am.

News editor John Deex said: “Tom Lloyd held monthly press briefings with the media and that is where we developed a really good working relationship.

“In recent months he worked with us on several issues, including binge drinking and safety problems on the A14.

“We have always given fair and balanced coverage throughout his time as chief constable.

“This included the Soham investigation, where Tom was heavily criticised for not returning from a family holiday, and the force’s poor performance in the league tables.

“We have never been afraid to call him to account when necessary, but at the same time we have given praise where it has been due.”

The chief constable resigned after the Daily Mail published a story accusing him of inappropriate behaviour at the Association of Chief Police Officers Annual Conference in Birmingham last month.

It accused him of being drunk and making comments to a female official.

Cambridge Evening News deputy editor James Foster said: “This shows how local papers are trusted by people at all levels in the local community.

“Tom Lloyd wanted to explain his reasons for resigning to the people of Cambridgeshire and having worked with him closely over the last three years we were the obvious place.

“The fact that he came to us to talk about the worst moment in his career is a testament to all this.

“John did a great job and should be very proud that Tom came to him.

“We ripped out the first five pages of the paper and deputy chief sub Clare Turner and her department deserve a lot of praise for getting the paper out.”