FORMER senior detective Ray Mallon has chosen the anniversary of his dramatic departure from Cleveland Police to reveal it is time to bury the hatchet with his former enemies.

It is exactly 12 months since Mr Mallon was "required to resign" from the force to stand in the poll for Middlesbrough's first directly-elected mayor.

Now nine months into the £30,000-a-year job, he says he is working closely with some of his most high-profile adversaries.

In recent years, Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell and Cleveland Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker have been outspoken critics of the former detective superintendent.

Councillor Walker's dogged defence of outgoing Cleveland Police Chief Constable Barry Shaw has also caused ructions in the Mallon camp.

But speaking to The Northern Echo yesterday, Middlesbrough's mayor said he was prepared to let bygones be bygones for the sake of the town.

He said: "There will be no conflicts from me with whoever I was at loggerheads with during Lancet.

"I have a good working relationship with Stuart Bell for example. I often see him face to face and we have the same vision for Middlesbrough.

"Ken Walker is also someone I've had difficulties with in the past and, again, I speak to him two or three times a week and there is not a problem at all.

"Some people want to see conflict - but there is, and must be, no bitterness.

"I admit they did everything possible to stop me becoming mayor, but that was because they are in the Labour Party. I understand it wasn't anything personal."

Asked about his further political ambitions, Mr Mallon said: "I have no hidden agenda - my closest friends will tell you that.

"I have no ambitions to be a member of parliament and haven't even decided whether I will stand at the next mayoral election."

One year on - Page 10

Mallon column - Page 1