Orde applies for top job at Met

Sir Hugh Orde has confirmed to the BBC that he has applied to be the next head of the Metropolitan Police.

Sir Hugh was appointed chief constable of the PSNI in May 2002 and has just under two years left on his contract.

Monday is the closing date for applications to succeed Sir Ian Blair at the Met.

He resigned after a series of high profile controversies and a public confrontation with London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Sir Hugh began his career in policing with the Met, joining in 1977 and rose to the rank of deputy assistant commissioner, and played a key role in the Steven's Inquiry into allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the RUC.

He was appointed to the post of chief constable of the PSNI six and a half years ago - at the time it was regarded as one of the most difficult policing jobs in the world.

Sir Hugh is credited with helping to make the new police service more acceptable to Catholics.

During his time in office, Sinn Fein has joined the policing board and the number of Catholic officers has risen to 25%.