Next Met chief could be chosen 'within weeks'

A new Met Police Commissioner could be in place within weeks after officials decided to speed up the interview and selection process.

At least four candidates are applying for the £260,000-a-year position and the deadline for applications is midday today.

Those known to be in the running are: Bernard Hogan-Howe, 53, the Met's acting Deputy Commissioner; Stephen House, 54, the chief constable of Strathclyde police; Tim Godwin, 54, the Met's acting Commissioner; and Sir Hugh Orde, 52, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Andy Trotter, the chief constable of British Transport Police, today ruled himself out of the race. The Met's Assistant Commissioner Ian McPherson, a former chief in Norfolk, was recently said to be considering applying.

Today, it emerged that the first interviews, to be held by a panel of the Metropolitan Police Authority, will be within a few weeks. Their views will be put to Home Secretary Theresa May and Mayor Boris Johnson before a shortlist is drawn up.

Officials hope to have a successful candidate by the end of next month. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Sir Paul Stephenson over the phone-hacking scandal.