New Northern Ireland police chief named

Paul Leighton was today named as the new deputy chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The 45-year-old is currently the assistant chief constable of Northumbria Police in Britain. He was selected by the Northern Ireland Policing Board from five candidates interviewed yesterday.

Mr Leighton, who joined the police in 1980, served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary before moving to Northumbria two years ago.

He said today he was “delighted” to have been appointed and looked forward to the challenges that lay ahead.