CLAIMS by a government minister that Cleveland Police is “rotten” were strongly refuted by its new temporary chief constable this morning.

Northern Powerhouse Minister and Stockton South MP James Wharton has demanded an investigation into the force after “serious allegations” of racism, six upcoming employment tribunal cases and numerous complaints – including an alleged misuse of anti-terror legislation to monitor phone records.

He called for Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger to use his power to call in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) to do an “independent and thorough” investigation of the force.

Mr Wharton’s comments come just three months ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, in which Labour PCC Barry Coppinger is standing against Conservative candidate Matthew Vickers and independent Sultan Alam.

Temporary Chief Constable Mr Spittal, who was appointed to the top job last month, said: “I am extremely disappointed with Mr Wharton suggesting that Cleveland Police is “rotten” and I strongly refute this damaging and negative statement.

"Every day the men and women of Cleveland Police work under enormous pressure to protect local people and communities. The truth is that lives are saved, children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and criminals are taken off the street.

“Our men and women put themselves in danger and their own lives on the line to protect local people. To suggest they are rotten is outrageous.

“I have openly acknowledged that there are elements of what we do, and how we do it that we have to improve. This is not something that I take lightly. I have and will continue to engage with a range of professionals from outside of Cleveland Police, including HMIC, to assist us in developing our organisation and the service we provide.”

He criticised Mr Wharton for acknowledging the “outstanding work” Cleveland’s officers and staff did when speaking to him privately, but for criticising them publicly.

He added: “I have invited Mr Wharton to come and meet the teams that serve his electorate, engage with them and then be able to speak from an informed view as opposed to the loud rhetoric that he seems to favour, but thus far he has declined.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger said: “I wrote to James Wharton to reiterate what I have already said in public, that I would far sooner invest in taking measures to address the issues that have been identified rather than investing in another expensive inspection process.”

Asian firearms officer Nadeem Saddique won an employment tribunal claim in November after claiming superiors racially discriminated against him.