It's official

It's official, Police force mergers will not now go ahead.

In an embarassing climbdown Police Minister Tony McNulty told a meeting of police authority members that he wanted a '' new emphasis on collaboration between forces.''

In a speech in central London, he said: "Are the mergers going to go through in one way or another eventually? "I think the definitive answer to that is "No."

Opposition to the plan was led by Cleveland Police which threatened High Court action if ministers pushed through a merger with Durham and Northumbria.

The Minister stressed that police forces had now been asked to discuss with the Home Office alternative ways of dealing with shortcomings identified by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

This blog will keep readers informed of developments.