POLICE have passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service in order that they can decide whether criminal charges should be brought against a former charity hospice chief executive.

Graham Leggatt-Chidgey stepped down suddenly in April, announcing his retirement after more than 20 years in charge of Butterwick Hospice, which has care facilities in Stockton and Bishop Auckland.

He has been questioned by officers from Cleveland Police after being arrested on suspicion of fraud, following a complaint of possible financial irregularity at the hospice.

Butterwick Hospice recently advertised for a “resourceful, innovative, resilient and driven” individual to replace Mr Leggatt-Chidgey in a post which attracts a salary of £66,000 a year.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said a file had been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will consider whether any charges should be brought, and a reply was awaited.