The Northern Ireland Assembly’s standards commissioner has stepped down a week after being appointed to become deputy chief constable of Surrey Police.

Mark McEwan, who previously served as assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), announced last week that he was joining the Surrey Constabulary.

Mr McEwan is set to start his new role in the coming weeks.

Surrey’s current deputy chief constable (DCC) Nev Kemp is set to retire in October after 30 years of public service.

Mr McEwan brings extensive experience in policing including more than 26 years serving in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Police.

He has worked in a variety of roles including community policing, counterterrorism, investigations, equality and diversity, crime prevention, and change management.

Mr McEwan said: “I'm excited to be joining a force with a strong reputation and high calibre of officers, staff and volunteers, to deliver the best possible service to the communities of Surrey.”

Surrey Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Mark’s appointment to our force as deputy chief constable is fantastic news both for officers, staff and volunteers within the organisation, and Surrey's communities.

“I very much look forward to working alongside him."

Mr McEwan was appointed to replace Dr Melissa McCullough as standards commissioner for Northern Ireland earlier this month.

After Mr McEwan’s appointment in Surrey, Stormont Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots said a new commissioner for Northern Ireland would be appointed “as soon as possible.”

The commissioner is responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct of ministers in Northern Ireland’s devolved government and the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

In a letter to the MLAs, Mr Poots said Mr McEwan had “informed the clerk and chief executive that he has been appointed deputy chief constable of Surrey Constabulary”.