Police chiefs have come under fire for initiating disciplinary action against a suspended finance officer who blew the whistle on a North-East force's spending crisis.

Ken Walker, the ousted chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, used his final meeting in office to launch a blistering attack against the force.

In a statement issued before the meeting he condemned the decision to suspend Cleveland finance officer Steve Preval as 'deeply wrong and deeply disturbing'.

Mr Preval was suspended in February following the discovery of a £7.3m blackhole in police spending plans.

He claimed Chief Constable Sean Price knew of the impending financial crisis in October - an allegation Mr Price denies.

Two months later Mr Preval wrote to Mr Walker claiming he was being targeted for blame.

Cleveland Police say the letter contained confidential information that he was not authorised to disclose.

The disclosure - according to the force - amounted to gross misconduct.

However, Coun Walker said: "This issue raises both serious questions of civil liberties and about the fact the force apparently took the view there was information relating to the force's operation which the authority and its chairman should not be allowed to see.

"I have no doubt Mr Preval and his advisers will be considering what action to take over what is a very sinister development."

He added: "Whatever the validity or otherwise of the representations made to me by Mr Preval, I believe he had the absolute right to approach the authority."

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "The force has taken appropriate advice and acted on that advice. It would be wholly inappropriate to comment in an ongoing internal disciplinary matter."

Members elected magistrate Ted Cox as Mr Walker's replacement.

He beat fellow JP Alf Illingworth by 12 votes to 4 in a secret ballot.

Mr Cox said: "My key priorities are the reduction of burglary and anti-social behaviour as well as dealing with drugs and kerb crawling. I also want to increase the number of police officers and support officers but only when we can afford it and not before."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillor Dave McLuckie was elected as vice chairman after polling 10 votes to Stockton Borough councillor Chris Coombs' six.

And his first proposal was an attempt to set up a 30 minute public forum during each authority meeting.

He wants members of the public to be able to hold the Chief Constable, Sean Price, and the authority to account for their actions with written questions followed by one supplementary question.

Members agreed to look at the practicalities of the scheme and bring a report to the August meeting.