West Yorkshire Police's new chief constable confirmed

Mark Gilmore is currently Northumbria Police's deputy chief constable

Mark Gilmore has been confirmed as West Yorkshire Police's new chief constable.

Mr Gilmore's appointment was approved at a public meeting of the West Yorkshire police and crime panel, after he was proposed by police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.

It follows the resignation of Sir Norman Bettison who left the post after an investigation into his role in an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Gilmore is currently deputy chief constable in Northumbria.

He said: "It is a huge privilege to be chosen to lead a large force with such a strong reputation and I am looking forward to working closely with the commissioner and the panel."

Last year, Sir Norman was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over allegations that while serving as as an inspector in the South Yorkshire force he provided misleading information after the disaster.

He was set to retire in March but left in October after candidates in the election to become West Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner called for him to stand down.

The force's deputy chief constable, John Parkinson has led the force since Sir Norman's departure.