The former chairman of the Police Federation has denied making any sexual comments about the widow of a police officer killed in the line of duty – but admitted he may have offered to “look after her” at an awards dinner.

PC John Apter, who is alleged to have said he wanted to “comfort” Lissie Harper, widow of Thames Valley PC Andrew Harper, “in my hotel room”, suggested it was a misunderstanding of a comment made after they were sat on the same table.

He admitted it was “not inconceivable” he could have said “I'll look after her at the dinner table” but said any suggestion he made a sexually suggestive remark was “deeply offensive”.

PC Apter, 55, is accused of making the “sickening” lewd comment about Mrs Harper, who has condemned it as “highly inappropriate from someone in that position”.

He is also accused of making a sexualised comment about a pregnant colleague when he said “maybe you'll get a bum now” as well as groping a much-younger constable's bottom on a police night out.

Retired PC Apter, who had a 30-year policing career, is facing gross misconduct charges.

Giving evidence at his hearing in Eastleigh, PC Apter said he was “really concerned” about Mrs Harper’s attendance at an awards ceremony in January 2020 to collect a posthumous award on behalf of her husband so soon after his death and funeral.

READ MORE: Retired PC John Apter allegedly touched bottom of junior officer

"There was emotion anyway but it was a very emotional time," he said.

"I was very concerned our attempts to do something positive could re-traumatise.”

He said he was “really insistent” there must be support for Mrs Harper, but added: “I know what I didn’t say.

"I certainly didn't say anything in a sexually inappropriate way and certainly not in a hotel room about a hotel room.”

Asked if there would be any 'sexual element' in his comments, he responded: "No.

"All of this is deeply upsetting, but with Lissie Harper and what she has been through and to have this allegation is deeply offensive.

"All of the allegations are but this one and the impact of such an allegation, not on me, but on Lissie and her family would have been horrific.”

He denied making comments about whether a pregnant colleague would “get a bum now”.

PC Apter also denied being drunk at a police night out before an awards ceremony in December 2021 - where he said comments of him drinking from a hip flask were a “complete lie”.

He denies three counts of gross misconduct. The hearing continues.