The appointment of Britain’s top policeman has been rushed forward to next month amid heightened concerns about a leadership crisis at Scotland Yard, The Times has learnt.

The choice of the new Metropolitan Police commissioner, which was not expected until March, is being fast-tracked after the antiTory outburst by the force’s antiterror chief, Bob Quick.

Senior Conservatives demanded yesterday that Mr Quick, an assistant commissioner, step aside from the leak inquiry that led to the arrest of Damian Green, the frontbench MP.

Mr Green’s arrest and the search of his offices by antiterrorism officers exposed the turmoil at Scotland Yard. Mr Quick has issued a full apology for his claim that the “Tory machinery” was trying to stop his inquiry.

The nine applicants to replace Sir Ian Blair have been whittled down without interview to four senior chief constables. They have been told that they will be interviewed in January.

Two names will be forwarded to Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, who is expected to consult Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London and chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority. A source said: “There is no reason why the name of the next commissioner should not be known by January 30.”

Dominic Grieve, the Shadow Home Secretary, led the calls for Mr Quick to step aside. He said: “It seems to me that the proper course of action is for Mr Quick to reflect on whether he has maintained the necessary objectivity.”

Scotland Yard said that Mr Quick would continue to lead the inquiry.

The Green affair and Mr Quick’s remarks have harmed the chances of Sir Paul Stephenson, the Acting Commissioner, of succeeding to the job permanently. The other three candidates serve outside the Met and each could be considered a “new broom”.

Mr Grieve said that a priority for a new Tory government would be to restore voters’ trust in police impartiality. He said that he wanted Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to report to all MPs, not just the Home Office.

Mr Quick made his remarks after being forced to move house when his security was compromised by a newspaper report. He had applied for the commissioner job but did not make the shortlist. In addition to Sir Paul, the candidates are: Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Chief Constable of Merseyside; Sir Hugh Orde, police chief in Northern Ireland; and Sir Paul Scott-Lee, head of West Midlands Police.

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