THE outgoing deputy chief constable of Police Scotland has been shortlisted to be the next £117,000-a-year chief executive of Inverclyde Council.

Neil Richardson, whose time at the single force has been marked by controversy, will make his case directly to councillors at an interview in Greenock tomorrow.

Mr Richardson has over 30 years’ experience in policing and completed lengthy stints at the legacy Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders forces.

The high point of his career was being made DCC at the amalgamated force, where he also stood in for the then-chief constable Sir Stephen House.

However, he had portfolio responsibility for issues that attracted political and media criticism, such as the troubled i6 project that has yet to be delivered.

He was also the police chief in charge of the Counter Corruption Unit (CCU), which unlawfully used its spying powers in a bid to flush out journalists’ sources.

The scandal prompted parliamentary hearings and led to MrRichardson giving evidence in front of MSPs.

His CCU link is believed to have been a factor in his failed bid to become chief constable of the force.

In March, Police Scotland announced that Mr Richardson, who earned £169,600 a year, would not seek a second term and would be retiring.

The 50-year-old formally leaves the force soon and will be entitled to a generous lump sum and his police pension.

However, Mr Richardson may be in line for an imminent comeback.

It is understood that he and Aubrey Fawcett, the council’s current corporate director, are the two contenders to replace John Mundell as chief executive.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The final stage of the interview process is a presentation and interview involving the full council meeting. The successful candidate needs to get the support of two thirds of the councillors present. The successful candidate requires a two thirds majority. If that does not happen, the post is re-advertised."

The job comes with a salary of £116,969.

Mr Richardson - who did not comment - is listed as living in West Dunbartonshire and has a limited company called Richar Consulting Ltd.