MPs are calling for West Yorkshire’s top police officer to resign or be suspended amid the latest Hillsborough fans smears allegations.

A six-hour Commons debate on Hillsborough continued to criticise Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison for his alleged involvement in the aftermath of the tragedy, when he was an officer at South Yorkshire Police.

Senior Labour MP Maria Eagle claimed he “boasted” about smearing Liverpool fans in the aftermath of the disaster and she told MPs he had been asked to help “concoct” the force’s version of events.

She used Parliamentary privilege to make the allegations, including that Sir Norman was behind the “black propaganda campaign”.

“The Hillsborough independent panel report itself suggests that Norman Bettison had a much wider role than he has admitted,” she told MPs.

Miss Eagle also said Sir Norman had “always denied any involvement in the dirty tricks campaign”.

Bradford East MP David Ward, Bradford West MP George Galloway and Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said Sir Norman’s position was untenable.

Mr Ward said: “I do not see how he can have any credibility or how he can do his job while this is hanging around. Until we know the outcome of the inquiry, I do not see how he can function in his role.”

Mr Hopkins added: “Whatever the rights and wrongs of the allegations made against him, I believe Sir Norman should now either stand down or be suspended from his position as Chief Constable.

“Sir Norman’s continuing presence as head of the West Yorkshire force has become a huge distraction and a threat to further progress. He needs to go.”

Mr Galloway has repeatedly called for his resignation.

“He should be suspended forthwith pending the outcome of the various inquiries and the public needs to be told why the people with the power to do this have done nothing,” he said.

West Yorkshire Police Authority said it was not making a comment but confirmed a private meeting was taking place today and the matter of Sir Norman might be discussed.

Last night the demands for Sir Norman to quit were backed by the councillor who chaired the police authority until a fortnight ago. Mark Burns-Williamson resigned as chairman of the police authority to stand in the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Mr Burns-Williamson, who is now Labour’s candidate to become West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “In light of the new evidence given in Parliament I feel Sir Norman Bettison should stand down now in the best interests of West Yorkshire Police.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies said Sir Norman should go if he loses the confidence of the public and his officers.