Inglis fails to make longlist for police role

The former chairman of Humberside Police Authority – the body the commissioner would replace – was informed in an email from the National Executive Committee.

The veteran councillor was at the receiving end of a letter threatening him with disciplinary action earlier in the contest when former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott entered the running for the £75,000-a-year role, after Coun Inglis suggested that after his long career, he might want to spend more time with his family.

Yesterday, Coun Inglis declined to comment.

Labour insiders say the next step will be for a panel to interview a maximum of four candidates. The NEC is understood to want women on the shortlist – and there is only one female candidate, Alene Branton, also a former chairman of the police authority.

A source said: “I am gobsmacked Colin didn’t make the longlist. They have taken the person out who would have got a lot of votes in Hull and would have split the vote.

“Colin is an operator and very suited to the role and would have fought any Government, whoever was in power, for more resources for policing in Humberside.”

Other candidates include former Labour MP Ian Cawsey and retired Chief Supt Keith Hunter.