David Blunkett has called for the immediate suspension of David Westwood, the chief constable of the Humberside constabulary, following damning criticisms of the handling of Ian Huntley, the Soham murderer.

Publishing the Bichard report into lapses which led to the murders, David Blunkett told MPs that lessons would be learned.

Sir Michael's report made grim reading for senior officers in the Humberside and Cambridgeshire forces.

The report identified "errors, omissions, failures and shortcomings which are deeply shocking".

Both forces failed to block Huntley's appointment as a school caretaker despite a string of sex allegations.

Blunkett accepted the report and the "serious failures" it uncovered on behalf of the government.

He said: "The strength of the report's criticism of him [Westwood] has led me to conclude that, using the powers available to me ... I should require Humberside Police Authority to suspend Mr Westwood as chief constable forthwith."

But in a defiant statement the chief constable said he would carry on in the job until his police authority told him otherwise.

He said: "I am aware that the home secretary is asking the police authority to suspend me. They have not done so. Until they decide what their position is I will remain chief constable."