RAY Mallon's bid to become mayor of Middlesbrough suffered a setback last night when his disciplinary hearing was adjourned yet again.

Detective Superintendent Mallon is planning to stand for mayor in May, but fears his plan may be derailed unless the disciplinary hearing can be concluded swiftly.

The former head of Middlesbrough CID has been suspended since December 1997. Last year he was cleared of any criminal wrong-doing, but still faces an internal disciplinary hearing.

A preliminary hearing was due to get under way yesterday - a month after it was adjourned following five weeks of legal wrangling.

But a dispute over a report into Operation Diamond has meant that the hearing has been suspended again.

Operation Diamond was carried out into allegations that Cleveland's Chief Constable, Barry Shaw, authorised leaks to a national newspaper.

The hearing is expected to start again next month, but it means that Det Supt Mallon is unlikely to be released from his employment with Cleveland Police in time for him to stand in the mayoral contest.

Matthew Wiggetts, solicitor for Det Supt Mallon, said: "I can confirm that the disciplinary proceedings in relation to Ray Mallon have been adjourned to a date to be fixed.

"The reason for the adjournment is that a number of administrative issues need to be addressed.

"I know that Ray Mallon is anxious to conclude these proceedings as soon as possible, but at the present time we are in the hands of the process."

Cleveland Police confirmed the hearing had been adjourned, but could not say when it was going to restart.