A MAN calling for answers from Cleveland Police has welcomed the support of his local MP.

Mike Hopkins, a former senior civilian worker at the force, believes his claims of witness intimidation and harassment were never properly investigated by officers connected to the Operation Sacristy corruption investigation at force.

He believes that he was targeted by force chiefs when he was suspended in May 2011, amid allegations he was leaking information to the media.

The former head of commissioning at the force had his computer searched by members of Cleveland Police’s professional standards department in an attempt to trace the source of a media leak.

Mr Hopkins wants an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into his claims that during the corruption investigation efforts were made to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Hopkins, who lost a civil court case against the force relating to his claims, believes that vital evidence was deliberately withheld by the force and wants a full investigation.

He said: "All I'm asking for is to the all of the evidence connected to my claims – I still don't believe that I have received them.

"If everything has been provided and it is ruled that no offences have been committed then I will be able to put all of this behind me."

Last year, Redcar MP Anna Turley raised concerns with the Home Office over the handling of the corruption investigation.

She said: “I put these questions to the Home Office last year and the responses received passed on responsibility for the issue.

"Mr Hopkins has been, understandably, determined to get proper answers to the issues related to Operation Sacristy and the letter I have sent is a continuation of those efforts.

"Cleveland Police is now under very different leadership to the past but I trust they will now respond to Mr Hopkins’ concerns in full.”

A Police spokesman confirmed the force had received the latest letter.

Will Green said: “We have received a letter concerning Operation Sacristy outlining a number of detailed questions. Having received the letter we are now considering the content.”