Blunkett told to act over police chief

David Blunkett today faced calls to end the chaos over the damning Soham inquiry which left a chief constable clinging to his job.

A report into how Ian Huntley came into a position to kill Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman held Mr Westwood personally responsible for errors by his force which led to records of earlier sex crime allegations being deleted.

The Humberside police authority will meet on Friday when it is expected to comply with Mr Blunkett's request. An investigation will follow after which the Home Secretary could force Mr Westwood to retire or resign.

Opposition MPs today warned that Mr Blunkett risked prejudicing the case by taking a tough public line against Mr Westwood while his position is under investigation.

Tory MP Mark Field said: "The allegations against the chief constable are very serious but I'm sure they will be investigated quickly, and it is wrong to prejudge that. This is an example of the Home Secretary playing fast and loose with natural justice."

Other MPs urged Mr Westwood to quit. Labour's Ian Cawsey, a former chairman of Humberside police authority, said: "I can't believe he has the gall to stay. The dignified thing is to let someone else take the force forward."

Sir Michael Bichard's inquiry revealed a series of errors across all organisations that had contact with Huntley before he murdered Holly and Jessica in August 2002.