Decision day for Scotland Yard top job

Britain's biggest police force will have a new chief at the helm by tonight - if protocol allows.

Home Secretary Theresa May and London Mayor Boris Johnson are giving shortlisted applicants a final chance to impress before deciding on Scotland Yard's next commissioner.

Stephen House, Bernard Hogan-Howe, Tim Godwin and Sir Hugh Orde will be interviewed by the pair before a recommendation is made to the Queen.

Candidates have already been questioned by the Metropolitan Police Authority, which is eager to secure a speedy replacement for Sir Paul Stephenson in the wake of the phone hacking scandal and rioting crisis.

Mr Johnson signalled an appointment would be made today as he told MPs that "four exceptional candidates" have come forward.

But Mrs May has since said: "We will be interviewing candidates on Monday. Whether it's possible to make an announcement on Monday will depend on practicalities because we cannot make an announcement until a decision has formally been taken by Her Majesty the Queen."

Mr Johnson and the Government are determined to get it right, with the previous two chiefs resigning under controversial circumstances.

Mr House, Strathclyde's police chief, Mr Hogan-Howe, the former head of Merseyside Police, Mr Godwin, the Met's acting commissioner, and Sir Hugh, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, have been quizzed by senior Whitehall officials along with MI5.

Mr House, who was indirectly praised by the Prime Minister over the success of Strathclyde in tackling gang culture, and Mr Hogan-Howe, a tough-talking chief with a wealth of experience at Scotland Yard, are said to be front-runners for the job.

Sir Paul quit last month after revelations about the close relationship between senior Scotland Yard figures and News International.

The new commissioner will take over the force on a five-year contract, worth around £260,000 a year.

Keith Vaz, Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said: "Whoever is appointed needs to be someone who commands the confidence of the police force but also has the breadth of experience to deal with what is going to be enormous challenges for London."