Stephen Martin has 'taken legal advice' over deputy chief constable shortlist

Acting Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin has been a police officer for 32 years

The outgoing acting deputy chief constable of the PSNI said he has "taken legal advice" over not being shortlisted for the permanent role.

Stephen Martin was appointed to the temporary position in August 2018.

But he was not shortlisted to be interviewed for the full-time role and subsequently announced he would retire in February.

On Thursday night, the Policing Board backed a candidate. The justice minister must now approve the choice.

A Policing Board spokesperson said the recommendation of the deputy chief constable appointment panel was unanimously ratified by the board.

"The board chair will now formally seek the approval of the justice minister for the appointment in line with legislative requirements."

Earlier, an Ulster Unionist MLA expressed concern over the appointment process for the permanent position.

Alan Chambers was to be one of five politicians involved in the process, but withdrew from the interview panel and wrote to the Policing Board, saying the process needed to be "rigorously fair".

Mr Martin said he was shocked at missing out on the shortlist for the role, describing it as a "gunk".

He said: "These processes need to be rigorously fair, they need to be lawful.

"If that were not the case I would certainly be shocked and grossly disappointed and would feel considerably let down."

"I have taken legal advice and the board are aware of that now.".

He added: "When you apply for a position, you weigh these things up carefully, you put a lot of personal investment into it, preparation, and when it doesn't work out I think naturally anyone in my position would be disappointed."

Alan Chambers withdrew because he was concerned about the selection process

A spokesperson for the Policing Board said: "The recruitment process for the deputy chief constable position is based on the principles of merit, fairness and openness.

"It incorporates independent scrutiny at all stages to provide additional probity and transparency.

"As the process is ongoing the board will not be making any further comment."

But Mr Chambers said the shortlist did not leave him with the impression the process was fair.

Interviews for the £168,000-a-year post will be held this week, with the outcome due to be announced on 30 January.

Among those shortlisted are two assistant chief constables, Barbara Gray and Mark Hamilton, and two external candidates who formerly served in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).