Police job sees last man standing

South Yorkshire Police Authority has been attempting to recruit a replacement for Meredydd Hughes, who retired last October, and had hoped to have someone permanent in post before Christmas.

However, the process has been dogged by delays and uncertainty, and despite yesterday’s withdrawal announcement, the authority said it would go ahead and interview the remaining candidate next Monday.

The authority had initially invited three applicants to a two-day assessment in early December. While one was eventually rejected, discussions over the others ended in a stalemate.

It is understood the panel was unable to choose between David Crompton, the current deputy chief constable of West Yorkshire Police and Stuart Hyde, the deputy chief in Cumbria.

Nick Gargan, the chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, was the eliminated third candidate.

Last night, it was still unclear which candidate had decided to withdraw, and South Yorkshire Police Authority was unable to provide details.