Committee makes recommendation for police chief

The committee selecting a new police chief has recommended the deputy head of the south Moravian force, Petr Lessy, to occupy the top post. The 46-year old previously marked himself out for his forceful action against football hooligans and extremists when he served in north Moravia. The recommendation must still be cleared by Prime Minister Petr Nečas. He said Mr. Lessy had been talked about as a hot favourite for the post by Mr. John for several weeks and that he had doubts about the correctness and objectivity of the committee's selection. The Prime Minister said he would seek a meeting with the interior minister. Interior Minister Radek John said that he hoped the appointment could be made official on Friday. The selection procedure – proposed by the Interior Minister has evoked controversy on the Czech political scene and divided the governing coalition. Legal experts have expressed the view that the selection committee might even be in breach of the law.