THE chairman of Cleveland Police Authority said yesterday that it was in the public interest for files on former chief Ray Mallon to be resubmitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Councillor Ken Walker hit back at accusations that the authority was wasting public money by asking the CPS to reconsider bringing criminal charges against Mr Mallon, the former head of Middlesbrough CID.

Mr Mallon has already been cleared of criminal wrong-doing after the long-running multi-million pound Operation Lancet anti-corruption inquiry.

But last month he resigned from Cleveland Police force after admitting 14 disciplinary charges arising from Lancet.

Coun Walker said it was that admission which prompted the authority to resubmit the Lancet files to the CPS.

"This is something that's right and proper. There's now a totally different set of circumstances surrounding the position relating to Mr Mallon and the fact that he's accepted responsibility," he said.

"There was a unanimous decision of the authority that consideration be given to the referral back of the Operation Lancet files. I make no judgement in terms of what will happen but I think there's sufficient reason for the action which has been taken to have been taken.

"This isn't personal - it never has been. We are quite clinical about this.

"It's entirely up to the CPS now."

Coun Walker was speaking after a police authority meeting where Cleveland Police Chief Constable Barry Shaw confirmed to members that the Lancet files had been returned to the CPS.

"I think the simplest thing to say is that appropriate action has been taken in respect of a request made by the police authority," he said. "I don't think I want to say any more at this time.