THE chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police has lost a High Court battle against the force’s new Police and Crime Commissioner.

Colin Port had claimed he was “unlawfully induced to retire” by Sue Mountstevens, who took up her post as PCC at the end of 2012.

Mr Port announced he was refusing to reapply for his own job last November.

High Court Judge Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart said he was “extremely sorry” Mr Port’s career had ended in an “unsatisfactory” way.

Mr Port had asked the High Court to block the interview process for his replacement and to insist on six months’ notice before the interview procedure took place.

However, blocking Mr Port’s call for a judicial review, the judge said the interests of the Avon and Somerset force “must come first”.

Speaking outside court today (January 8), Mr Port told reporters he had “lost on a technicality” and was considering appealing.

He said: “This was never about me but wider policing.”

Ms Mountstevens said she was “delighted” with the decision.

Earlier, the court heard how Mr Port had told the commissioner he had “no intention” of re-applying for his own job.

He said he would not seek the renewal of his contract and confirmed he would retire from the police service on January 26.

Under police regulations a chief constable can be appointed for a fixed term for a maximum of five years.

After the fixed term they can be extended by up to three years but following that, extensions can only be for a year at a time.