NICK Gargan should be forced to resign as Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset, according to HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

Sir Thomas Winsor says he supports the force's Police and Crime Commissioner's efforts to make Mr Gargan step down.

Sue Mountstevens has informed Mr Gargan of the latest move in the saga, which dates back to his being suspended on full pay in May 2014.

He was found guilty by an independent misconduct panel of eight counts of misconduct this summer - accused of abusing his position by "forwarding confidential e-mails, interfering with a proper recruitment process and sending, receiving and storing intimate images on his police issue phone".

He was given eight final warnings, but he refused to step down, despite calls from three former Chief Constables and former officers to go, claiming he had lost the confidence of officers.

Ms Mountstevens has now used powers under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act (section 38) to progress the procedure calling on Mr Gargan "to resign or retire", due to a lack of confidence by local people, police officers and staff in his position as leader of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

The PCC has now shared the report and her original correspondence to Sir Thomas with Mr Gargan and given him 14 days to make his written representations.

When she receives a response from Mr Gargan, the next stage will be for her to make a formal statutory decision whether to continue the process requiring the Chief Constable to resign.

If the PCC decides to continue the process she will notify the Police and Crime Panel and Mr Gargan of her decision.

The Police and Crime Panel will then hold a private hearing in which they can call on the PCC and Mr Gargan to make oral representations.

The Police and Crime Panel are required to make a recommendation to the PCC which she must have regard to when making her final decision on whether to require the chief Constable to resign.