David Westwood was personally criticised in the report

Its reply to what the home secretary called the "very serious issues" raised has gone to the Home Office.

Sir Michael Bichard's inquiry said a string of failures allowed Huntley to get his caretaker job, despite sex allegations against him in Humberside.

Its chief constable David Westwood has been suspended as a result.

On Friday the High Court ruled Home Secretary David Blunkett could order Mr Westwood's suspension under police laws.

It is the first time powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 have been used to order such a move.

Notes destroyed

The Humberside authority response contained a six-page letter from authority chairman Colin Inglis, who backed the suspended police chief.

The authority refused to take action against Mr Westwood, who was personally criticised in the report over failures in vetting checks on Soham murderer Ian Huntley.

Huntley murdered Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman

Huntley got a job as a school caretaker and went on to murder 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. He is now serving life in prison.

Humberside Police failed to tell Cambridgeshire Police about earlier allegations Huntley was a serial sex attacker.

The force also destroyed notes about his past misdemeanours.

Following the authority response, Mr Blunkett can insist the chief constable resigns or retires.

Mr Westwood then has a further two weeks to respond before a final decision to remove him is taken.