A new senior officer has been appointed by West Yorkshire Police in the wake of the suspension of chief constable Mark Gilmore.

Russ Foster, currently an assistant chief constable with Northamptonshire Police, will take a similar role in West Yorkshire.

ACC Foster currently has responsibility for Specialist Crime and Territorial Policing and has previously held portfolios for Criminal Justice and Professional Standards.

Throughout his career, he has gained significant experience as an investigator having served in every rank from detective constable to detective superintendent.

In Derbyshire he took the lead on serious and organised crime and during his time at Nottinghamshire Police led a number of homicide enquiries.

West Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson said: “ACC Foster brings with him invaluable experience that will help the force move forward in the face of significant challenges.

“The breadth of knowledge he has developed in many areas of policing will undoubtedly benefit the force and our local communities.”

Mr Gilmore, who grew up in Belfast and spent most of his career in Northern Ireland, was suspended in June.

The move was prompted by a Police Service of Northern Ireland investigation into the awarding of police vehicle contracts in Northern Ireland.

Seven men have been arrested and questioned on suspicion of offences including bribery, misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office.

Mr Gilmore was not one of those detained and said he conducted himself with the honesty and integrity expected of someone in his position and had 31-year unblemished professional record.