6.30pm GMT update Manchester chief constable found dead
The chief constable of Greater Manchester police has been found dead in north Wales, the force said today.
Michael Todd, a policeman for more than 30 years, had gone walking in the Snowdonia region while off duty yesterday, his force said. A search was launched after he failed to return.
Rescue teams found a body believed to be that of the 50-year-old this afternoon, Greater Manchester's deputy chief constable, Dave Whatton. told reporters. The body has yet to be formally identified.
"The weather conditions are extremely bad at the moment and are hindering our inquiries," Whatton said.
"As you can imagine all of his friends and colleagues are extremely upset. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, and I would ask that they be left in peace to come to terms with this tragic shock."
The search operation involved two mountain rescue teams and an RAF helicopter. Todd's body might not be recovered until late this evening, an RAF spokesman said.
First joining Essex police in 1976, Todd rose to become an assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan police where his duties included overseeing the policing of major events such as the May Day demonstrations and the Notting Hill Carnival.
Married with three children, a daughter and twin sons, Todd also served with the Nottinghamshire force.
The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, said she was "saddened" at the news.
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said Todd made a "significant contribution to policing".
"In London, this culminated in him being assistant commissioner for territorial policing and leading the important fight against street crime," he said.
"He was held in high esteem and I and colleagues who knew him are truly shocked by this terrible news."
As vice-president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Todd led an inquiry into allegations that CIA rendition flights landed in the UK.
Todd was known as being particularly media-friendly - his Greater Manchester police profile notes that he gave 66 separate radio and TV interviews during the 2001 May Day demonstrations in London.
He joined Greater Manchester police as chief constable in 2002.
In 2005, in a public attempt to demonstrate the safety of Taser guns, Todd was filmed receiving a 50,000-volt jolt to his back from one of the incapacitation weapons. Collapsing in agony, he said later: "And yes, it hurt like hell and no, I wouldn't want to do it again." Video footage of the event was released last year.
Senior police officers and Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom have paid tribute to Michael J. Todd, the chief constable of the Greater Manchester Police, who was found dead yesterday. He was found dead in North Wales yesterday. It has been reported that he was found at the bottom of a cliff with letters found nearby, either on his body or in his car, which were addressed to family and friends, although this has not been confirmed.

The discovery came after an extensive search by mountain rescue teams, following Todd's unexpected absence on a. According to Greater Manchester Police, the chief constable had been on a walking trip, which was not uncommon, however when he failed to return the alarm was raised.

===David Blunkett===

David Blunkett, the former UK Home secretary commented:



===Dave Whatton===

Dave Whatton, the deputy chief constable for GMP commented: 



===Chris Huhne===

Chris Huhne, who is the Home Affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat party commented: 



===Jacqui Smith===

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary commented:



===David Davis===

David Davis, the shadow home secretary from the Conservative party commented: 



===Sir Ian Blair===

The Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair commented:



===Jan Berry===

Jan Berry, who chairs the police federation of England and Wales commented:



===Sir Gerald Kaufman===
The MP for  Manchester Gorton, Sir Gerald Kaufman commented:



===Ken Jones===
Ken Jones, from the association of police chief constables commented: