SUSPENDED officers and the Press could be gagged from criticising long running anti-corruption inquiries if the Government accepts suggestions by a North-East police authority.

The controversial move - which was instantly attacked by MPs and freedom of information campaigners - would allow authorities to seek court orders preventing reports of long-running investigations.

It has been put forward by Cleveland Police Authority which has been at the centre of controversy over its handling of Operation Lancet, the long running anti-corruption inquiry which cost £7m.

A report by Peter Riley, the police authority's lead officer, cites media reporting as a "critical area for change".

It says Sir John Hoddinott, the former Chief Constable of Hampshire, who is reviewing the conduct of Lancet, should consider it in his re-examination of the police complaints process.

The review was commissioned by the Home Secretary in April to prevent a repeat of Operation Lancet, which lasted three years and resulted in no prosecutions.

Seven officers, including zero-tolerance pioneer Superintendent Ray Mallon, remain suspended pending disciplinary hearings.

Lancet, which was set up to investigate claims of drugs-for-information, will be used as a case study.

The police authority report states: "Operation Lancet has been notable for the degree of public, media and parliamentary comment and debate at virtually every stage.

"Careful attention must be given to the question of openness and handling of media/public interest and the rules of disclosure by which all parties are bound.

"Consideration should also be given to a system of discretionary court orders to prevent comment in the media on investigations other than as to the stage they have reached."

The police authority's chairman, Councillor Ken Walker, tried to distance himself from the report last night.

He said: "I do not support any suggestion of using the courts to prevent proper debate and discussion of issues surrounding Lancet or any other issue relating to the police authority."

However, the report - due to be considered today - clearly says of the media control suggestion: "From the perspective of Cleveland Police Authority, the following are matters which it considers to be critical areas for change if there is to be improvement in the way major complaints and allegations are investigated."

Teesside MP Ashok Kumar, described the suggestion as "ill judged and foolish". He said: "How dare they suggest that? People have a right to know."

Paying tribute to the work of The Northern Echo in keeping Lancet in the public eye, Home Office advisor Lord Brian Mackenzie said: "It's right that newspapers be able to report things like this."

If the suggestion is adopted, it would not prevent politicians from discussing police investigations in parliament.

But it would effectively gag suspended officers like Supt Mallon. He said: "Cleveland Police have perpetrated the myths of drug dealing, violence and corruption. I was not prepared to be part of that conspiracy of silence."

Maurice Frankel, of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, said of the proposal: "I think it would be a breach of the Human Rights Act."

Read more about Operation Lancet here.