David Westwood

Chief constable David Westwood has been suspended following David Blunkett's court victory over Humberside Police Authority.

Friday afternoon saw the home secretary gain legal backing for his order to the police authority to suspend the embattled police chief.

Earlier in the day, the authority had refused to order the suspension for a second time, and instead sought to contest the High Court action.

Following the judge's ruling, the police authority said it would now suspend Westwood - a move seen by Blunkett as coming too late.

"I am very pleased that the court has established that our interpretation of the law was absolutely correct and that Humberside Police Authority should have abided by my requirement for suspension from the beginning," the home secretary said in a statement.

"I now want a proper and full response from Humberside Police Authority on the very serious and substantial issues raised in the Bichard report which should have begun 10 days ago.

"The Home Office police standards unit and HM Chief Inspectorate of Constabulary will continue the work begun months ago to improve the delivery of policing in Humberside.

"In the meantime, we will get on with pulling together all the agencies to address the wider inquiry recommendations."

Rebel authority

After a meeting on Friday morning, the authority had renewed its backing for the embattled police chief.

A statement issued by the authority indicated there were questions of law that it wanted to see decided by a judge.

As a result, the police authority voted by 15 to two to adjourn the issue of suspending Westwood "pending the outcome of legal proceedings".

The statement said the authority also considered the efficiency and effectiveness of the force in the light of the recent, highly critical, Bichard report.

After the deliberations, the members voted by 14 to three that it was "not necessary" to require the chief constable to retire or resign.

"Quite the contrary. We are satisfied that the best way in which the police authority will continue to secure the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force for Humberside is through having David Westwood as its chief constable," said the statement.

Stand-off

The home secretary had ordered the authority to suspend Westwood following the publication of a damning report ordered in the wake of the Soham murders.

It found that Westwood should take responsibility for the failure to maintain accurate records on criminals including Ian Huntley, who was convicted of the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

But at a meeting last week the authority instead stood by its chief constable and decided to urge Blunkett to reconsider his position.

Instead, the Home Office stepped up the pressure, launching the court action in a bid to get its way.

The legal move came despite an intervention from the father of one of the girls killed by Huntley, who said the suspension of David Westwood would be wrong.

Kevin Wells said it would be a "travesty" if the chief constable was forced to quit.

However the home secretary pressed ahead despite the criticism, determined to force the removal of Westwood.