Failure to indicate whether further steps to be taken
25.—(1) Where, in response to a written request from the Ombudsman sent by recorded delivery, a complainant fails to indicate to the appointed officer within 21 days whether he wishes further steps to be taken in respect of a complaint about the relevant conduct of a designated person, the provisions of Part 7 of the 1998 Act, the preceding provisions of this Part, and subsequent Parts of these regulations, shall not apply in respect of the complaint.
(2) Where a complaint about the relevant conduct of a designated person has been referred to the Chief Constable to investigate, and the complainant fails to assist the investigation, the Chief Constable shall request the Ombudsman to write to the complainant inviting him to indicate whether he wishes any further steps to be taken.
(3) Where the complainant fails to indicate whether he wishes any further steps to be taken, the Ombudsman shall notify—
(a)the designated person concerned,
(b)the complainant,
(c)the Chief Constable, and
(d)in the case of a designated person employed by a contractor, the contractor concerned,
accordingly.