The BBC's Valerie Jones on the controversy over Mr Bettison's appointment

Controversy has dogged the selection of Mr Bettison following allegations that he was part of a South Yorkshire police unit that tried to blame fans for the 1989 Hillsborough football tragedy.

Following a seven-hour meeting the Merseyside Police Authority confirmed its decision to appoint Mr Bettison, to the dismay of relatives of the 96 victims.

Chief Constable Norman Bettison: "I have never tried to hide my links with the Hillsborough tragedy"

Mr Bettison, a serving officer with South Yorkshire police at the time of the tragedy, said: "The relatives who were bereaved and the young spectators who were injured in the tragedy have my sympathy.

"They have had my sympathy for nine-and-a-half years. They will have my sympathy for ever."

He added that he understood relatives' dismay and anger over the fact that no-one has personally been held to account for the tragedy.

But Trevor Hicks, Chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said relatives of those who died were "appalled by the decision but not entirely surprised by it".

Trevor Hicks: "Appalled but not surprised"

Mr Hicks, who lost his two daughters at Hillsborough, criticised the Police Authority over its failure to properly look into the records of candidates for the chief constable job.

He told BBC News 24: "It still is our belief that the full circumstances of Mr Bettison were not known when the decision was taken (to appoint him)."

He added: "Many of the members of the police authority are elected members of local constituents and they intend to remind the police authority members (of this) come the elections next spring.

Trevor Hicks: Police Authority does not have any credibility

"It has even been suggested that we should put up some candidates to make sure that this police authority faces the music for its actions tonight."

On Monday relatives of the victims handed in a petition signed by 15,000 people calling for the removal of Mr Bettison.

They said he was part of a South Yorkshire police unit that tried to blame fans for the disaster.

Mr Bettison made no mention on his CV of the fact that he was a chief inspector in a Yorkshire police team that has been accused of attempting to deflect criticism over the tragedy away from officers.

Angry scenes greeted Mr Bettison as he left the meeting

Families of the victims called on him not to accept the job and demanded the resignation of the police authority members who appointed him knowing his past.

But Mr Bettison has insisted he had a clear conscience.

He said: "I have never tried to hide my links with the Hillsborough tragedy and attempts to link me with inappropriate behaviour have, in my view, been irresponsible."