The chief constable who was suspended in the wake of the Hillsborough inquests was "unfairly" dismissed, a police chief has said.
David Crompton lost his job at the head of South Yorkshire Police after the inquest into the deaths of 96 football fans ruled that police conduct contributed to or caused the disaster.
Concerns about public trust and confidence in the under-fire force led to his suspension on April 27.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Tom Winsor, who is required to give his views on the situation as part of dismissal proceedings, said criticisms of Mr Crompton were "conspicuously unfair" and he should be reinstated.
In a report seen by Channel 4 News, Sir Tom said the decision was "conspicuously unfair, disproportionate and so unreasonable that I cannot understand how the PCC (police and crime commissioner) has reached this view".