Delay wanted for Sir Norman Bettison's retirement

Sir Norman Bettison Credit: Press Association

More than 3,000 people have signed an e-­petition calling for West Yorkshire Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison to call off his retirement until the police watchdog finishes its massive Hillsborough inquiry.

He has announced he will retire in March 2013 after a report revealed there had been a cover-up by police at the time of the 1989 disaster, when Sir Norman was with the South Yorkshire force.

It is alleged he was involved in the cover up that shifted blame to fans. The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, is looking into his conduct as part of their investigation into what happened.

But the petition says:

Sir Norman has said he has "nothing to hide".

MPs have been calling for him to be suspended while the IPCC probe is carried out.

After the IPCC announced it was looking at Sir Norman's conduct the West Yorkshire Police Authority said:

Today, the ­Government’s Home Affairs Committee today prepares to hear evidence from victims’ families and serving South Yorkshire chief David Crompton.