A NORTH-EAST chief constable and his deputy arrested over allegations of corruption are suing the heads of three police forces and the boss of the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Chief Constable of Cleveland Sean Price and his deputy, Derek Bonnard, were arrested last August and held on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position, and corrupt practice.

They have always denied the claims.

Both men are taking the civil action, claiming unlawful arrest, false imprisonment and trespass.

Their legal firm, Rebian Solicitors, has served letters before claim on Keith Bristow, the interim director general of the NCA and former chief of Warwickshire Police, the chief constables of North Yorkshire, Warwickshire and West Yorkshire, and the two officers who arrested Mr Price and Mr Bonnard.

The criminal investigation began last May after allegations against present and former members of Cleveland Police Authority (CPA).

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC), Roger Baker, appointed Mr Bristow to lead a criminal inquiry into allegations surrounding insurance claims, hospitality, and the award of police contracts from 2006 to 2009.

Codenamed Operation Sacristy, it has been described as a long and complex inquiry.

If their legal action is successful, The Northern Echo understands both Mr Price and Mr Bonnard could expect to be paid hundreds of thousands of pounds in loss of earnings and for damage to their careers.

Operation Sacristy already costs the public more than £100,000 a month and has so far cost about £1.6m.

However, Warwickshire Police, the force leading the investigation, insisted last night that both criminal and misconduct investigations were ongoing.

Ian Townsend, from Rebian Solicitors, said the action followed ten months in which there have been no further criminal interviews or allegations against Mr Price and Mr Bonnard.

He said Operation Sacristy’s legal advisor, Leonard Miller, said “the issue on which the search warrant was granted is not now being treated as a criminal matter”.

Mr Price said: “I remain baffled as to why I have been subjected to this treatment, but it would appear it is down to my refusal to act unlawfully.”

Mr Bonnard added: “I would describe what happened to me and my family as feeling like a plane crash in my life. Now I am suspended and subject to what I believe is an unnecessary, disproportionate and highly expensive investigation that the public are funding.”

Warwickshire Police issued a statement on behalf of all three police bodies and Mr Bristow.

It said: “The investigation did have to obtain search warrants from a district judge to search private and police premises. Prior to this, there had been significant problems in securing documentary evidence.

“We have been in a position to interview Mr Price and Mr Bonnard in relation to misconduct matters for five months, but they have been unable to make themselves available.

“The investigators receive their own legal advice and we are satisfied that the investigations are necessary, lawful and proportionate. We are completing inquiries as quickly and professionally as lawfully possible.

“It should be remembered that this is an investigation into complex corruption involving a number of other individuals.

A range of serious allegations are being investigated.

“Mr Price has also made previous allegations on Channel 4 News. He was invited then to make any formal complaints, but at the time he declined to do so.”