50.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the officer concerned shall attend the special case hearing.
(2) Where the officer concerned informs the person conducting or chairing the special case hearing in advance that the officer concerned is unable to attend on grounds which the person conducting or chairing the hearing considers reasonable, that person may allow the officer concerned to participate in the hearing by video link or other means.
(3) Where the officer concerned is allowed to and does so participate in the special case hearing, or where the officer concerned does not attend the special case hearing—
(a)the officer may nonetheless be represented at that hearing by the—
(i)police friend; or
(ii)relevant lawyer (in which case the police friend may also attend); and
(b)the hearing may be proceeded with and concluded in the absence of the officer concerned whether or not so represented.
(4) Where the officer concerned is represented in accordance with paragraph (3), the person representing the officer concerned or his police friend (if different), or both, may participate using the video link or other means where such means are also used by the officer concerned.