Bradford paratrooper Lee Clegg has failed in his bid to overturn a police decision to reject his application for a job.

Corporal Clegg launched an offensive against the force last October, hoping public support would persuade the Chief Constable to change his mind.

But speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, he said he had run out of options and was resigned to continuing his Army career.

He said: "With everything that has happened to me, I thought I would be able to get on with my life, but obviously I can't - people won't let the past go. For the time being I'm going to stay in the Army and get on with my life."

Cpl Clegg was convicted of killing joyrider Karen Reilly, 18, and wounding driver Martin Peake, 17, who also died, after a soldier opened fire on them as they sped through a military checkpoint in Belfast in 1990.

In the subsequent ten years, he fought three appeals, finally clearing his name of all charges. Currently an Army physical training instructor in Catterick, he applied to join West Yorkshire Police last year and claimed he got as far as being fitted for a uniform.

A request to meet the Chief Constable, backed by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, was declined. Cpl Clegg, who returns to Bradford to visit family in Lidget Green, said he enjoyed Army life, but he had hoped to give something back to those who had supported him.

He said: "I've got job security in the Army, but I would have been pleased to have been able to give something back to the community. I thought I would have been a good policeman and wanted to do something to help. This really knocked me for six and I don't think I'll ever get over it."

MP Gerry Sutcliffe said there had been letters of support from the public and the force.

"I don't think there's much we can do," he said. "The Home Office referred the decision back to West Yorkshire Police. Obviously, it's disappointing, but I think he feels satisfied that he took it as far as he could."

There was a possibility he might apply to different police forces, he added.

In a statement last October, West Yorkshire Police said the force had made clear its reasons to Cpl Clegg based on detailed considerations.