Merseyside's Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe _320
MERSEYSIDE police chief Bernard Hogan-Howe is among four candidates shortlisted for Britain’s top police job.
The high-profile role of Metropolitan Police Commissioner has been vacant since the resignation of Sir Ian Blair last month.
Also on the list is acting commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, who previously served with both Merseyside and Lancashire forces and who was deputy to Blair.
The other names shortlisted are Sir Hugh Orde, chief constable of Northern Ireland, and Sir Paul Scott-Lee, chief constable of the West Midlands force.
Mr Hogan-Howe was previously an assistant commissioner with the Metropolitan police before being appointed to the top job on Merseyside in 2004.
Merseyside police last night declined to comment on the shortlisting of Mr Hogan-Howe, saying it was a private matter.
A Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) spokesman confirmed the names following widespread circulation of rumours on who had made the cut.
