'I loved Michael very much and the last time I spoke to him he told me he loved me too' SUICIDE COP WIFE'S ANGUISH.

Byline: By PAUL BYRNE and PATRICK MULCHRONE

THE widow of tragic police chief Michael Todd told yesterday how his final words to her had been to declare his love.

Carolyn Todd, 47, dismissed reports that their 27-year marriage had ended because of the dashing Chief Constable's string of affairs.

The mum of three praised him as a "caring and loving father and husband" and added poignantly: "I loved Michael very much and the last time I spoke to him he told me he loved me too."

But her tribute came as the married highflying businesswoman with whom he had a threeyear affair was named as Angie Robinson.

Blonde mum-of-two Angie, 50, and the Chief Constable were pictured smiling together in a magazine publicity photo two years ago.

But on Thursday last week her furious husband John, also 50, is believed to have driven to the Todds' family cottage to tell Carolyn about the fling.

The showdown is thought to have plunged Michael, 50, into despair and four days later he drove 100 miles to kill himself on a mountain.

But it emerged last night that rescuers may have spent 12 hours looking in the wrong place because of misleading signals from his phone.

Angie is a successful entrepreneur and has headed Greater Manchester's chamber of commerce since 2000.

One former work colleague yesterday described her as "pleasant, personable and very easy to talk to". He went on: "She was the sort of person people would want to share their problems with."

The affair is thought to have ended some time ago. The pounds 500,000 four-bedroom detached home Angie shares with estate agent John in Congleton, Cheshire, was deserted yesterday.

Her chamber of commerce said in a terse statement: "Angie Robinson is unavailable for comment . However, she has the full support of the chamber in her role as chief executive."

Meanwhile, stunning former policewoman Laura Nagulapalli, 39, has been forced to deny she was one of three female PCs Michael is said to have bedded.

They were snapped together at a 2004 ceremony to mark her becoming Greater Manchester Police's 8,000th recruit.

But Malaysian-born Laura, now living in Brisbane, Australia, dismissed the rumours as "absolute nonsense".

The former model and air stewardess insisted: "I only ever met him once and that was during the recruitment ceremony. We certainly did not have an affair."

LAURA'S police career ended in shame when she was arrested for insurance fraud just hours after the ceremony and later convicted.

Despite Michael's job forcing him to spend weekdays living in a Manchester flat away from his family, Carolyn insisted he remained devoted to them.

At weekends, the police supremo would return to her, daughter Catherine, 16, and twin 13-year-olds David and Matthew at the family's home in Newark, Notts.

Devastated Carolyn laid bare her anguish as she said in a heart-rending statement: "He was immensely proud of his kids.

"He worked away from home on the second most important thing in his life, his job, returning to us at the weekend and for family holidays. The family recently returned from a holiday in Jamaica.

"The whole family is struggling to come to terms with his death and we would ask the media to leave us to grieve in peace."

Her husband began his tragic journey on Monday afternoon as he drove from Manchester to the village of Llanberis, North Wales. He then dumped his black Range Rover.and set off on foot for the 3,560ft summit of Snowdon.

Rescuers began searching for him on Tuesday after he sent a series of troubling text messages to loved ones. Hill walkers discovered his corpse nearly 12 hours later, face down in the snow and with a half-empty gin bottle next to it.

Michael did not have a jacket and is believed to have allowed himself to freeze to death. The rescue appears to have been hampered because mobile phone signals suggested he was 10 miles from where he actually was.

It is not known how crucial the delay was. Ian Henderson of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said: "Mobile signals are notoriously difficult to track.

We used the best information we had at the time." As an inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday, pathologist Dr Anthony Casalin confirmed Michael did not plunge to his death.

Further tests will be performed before a cause of death is announced.

Medical details are not normally released at the opening of an inquest. But coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones said he was taking the unusual step to "allay suspicion and fears" about the cause of death.

Dr Casalin also revealed the police chief may have been twice the drink-drive limit before his death.

Greater Manchester Police yesterday said no goodbye notes to his family were discovered next to his corpse.

'A boss you could talk to'

MORE than 800 people had yesterday paid tribute in a book of condolence on Greater Manchester Police's website. To add yours go to www.gmp.police.uk/condolence

MANCHESTER is a little darker today. R.I.P - Paddy Wright, London

AS an ex-GMP officer I met Mr Todd a couple of times and found he had an unusual quality for a boss... you could talk to him - David Garner, Murray Bridge, South Australia 

I KNEW his family and went to primary school with all three children. I'm so sorry about your dad.xxxxxx My heart goes out to u - Holly, Nottingham

AN inspiration to any police cadet. RIP Sir - VPC, London

IT IS very sad to hear of your death and this is felt through every police officer worldwide. Rest in Peace Sir - Det Sgt Alan McGee, Dublin, Ireland

WE were looking forward to having him back with us in the Met at some point in the future as our new chief - Victoria

Sir, you were the boss, and the best. When you took office, Greater Manchester became a safer place for all - Paul Elliot, Met Police

Rest In Peace Sir. Whatever the reasons, they can hurt you no more - NN, South England

AS a former officer in the US, I'd like to express my condolences to the Todd family and the Manchester public. We can rest assured that great officers are taken under the wings of St Michael and will once again patrol the streets of heaven - Matthew, Alexandria, US

I WELL liked the CC when I ser ved under him with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary. A copper's copper - Derek Burnett, Nottingham

A PRO-ACTIVE man who hadn't forgotten what policing was all about, rare once the ladder is climbed. A colleague who will be missed. RIP - PC, British Transport Police, London

SO Michael Todd was the Met chief we never got? That's sad. Very sad. Why do so many of "the good" pass so tragically? - John Bligh, London

WHEN I read about Mr Todd my eyes filled and my soul cried for the loss in this world of a man who had relationships and a family, who led with compassion and understanding. From 8,000 miles away I just wanted to say: "Mr Todd, rest now, your time is done and your toils lifted" - Michael Boase, ex-GMP, now living in Panama

A 'PROPER copper'. He did more to restore confidence in British policing than anyone - not just in Manchester either. Guts, determination, integrity and skill as a leader. Anyone who volunteers to be a Taser target has got to be rare. Many sympathies - Derek, ex-Bolton police

GOODBYE "boss", you have been an inspiration and will be greatly missed - Peter F, Marple Bridge

THEY say "To protect and serve" and you did both extremely well - North Wales Police Officer, Bangor

WHAT a waste of a great Man - S Watts, Birmingham

YOU are God's top cop now .. missed by all so much. What a loss - SALLY, LANCASHIRE

THE 'Thin Blue Line' is much thinner now as a result of this tragic loss - James W Deller, London

It's absolute nonsense, I only ever met him once .. we certainly did not have an affair

- LAURA NAGULAPALLI

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CAPTION(S):

SCENE: Hillside in Snowdonia where Mike Todd was found; SECRET AFFAIR Michael Todd and his former lover Angie Robinson; FELLOW OFFICER Mike Todd with 8,000th recruit Laura who denies an affair; GREAT man, great cop, great leader - Alfredo Kendry, West Molesey