A police chief has failed in his bid to become the next chief executive of Inverclyde council.

Neil Richardson, the outgoing deputy chief constable (DCC) of Police Scotland, and another candidate failed to secure the necessary support of councillors yesterday.

As revealed in the Herald, Richardson and Aubrey Fawcett, the council’s Corporate Director, were shortlisted to replace John Mundell as chief executive of the local authority.

At a private session yesterday, both individuals made their case in front of eighteen councillors.

Rules stipulated that a successful candidate needed the backing of two thirds of councillors present – in this case, 12 – but neither individual reached this total.

It is understood nine councillors backed Fawcett, seven supported Richardson and two abstained.

The council will consider its next move at the end of the month.

Richardson has over thirty years’ experience in the police service following lengthy stints in the legacy Strathclyde and Lothian & Borders forces.

He was made deputy chief constable of the single force, but his time at Police Scotland was marked by controversy.

He was in charge of the troubled i6 project and had portfolio responsibility for the Counter Corruption Unit, which used its spying powers in a bid to flush out journalists’ sources.

In March, the force announced Richardson, 50, would not seek a second term as DCC.

In a statement released yesterday, Inverclyde Council Leader Stephen McCabe, said: “I am disappointed we have not been able to make an appointment but it is vital that the successful candidate for this crucial position commands the confidence of a clear majority of the Council. Every councillor has an equal say in who becomes the new council Chief Executive. The council will now examine the position further on 30 June.”