THE finance director of troubled Cleveland Police was being investigated last night, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Steve Prevell was formally notified that he had been suspended from his job until further notice following a visit to his home by Deputy Chief Constable Ron Hogg yesterday.

It has been confirmed that information received by senior executives after an initial probe of the force's cash crisis had led to Mr Prevell's suspension and the situation is under investigation.

The move comes after Cleveland Police were thrown into fresh turmoil following revelations that a budget deficit "black hole" had grown by more than £1m in less than a week.

A Home Office spokesman confirmed that Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is considering carrying out an inspection of the force's financial management, a move welcomed by Cleveland Police.

Cleveland Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker said he had been told of Mr Prevell's suspension.

He told The Northern Echo: "I was notified yesterday afternoon by Ron Hogg that because of information that they have to hand, he had been out to see the finance director and had formally notified him he was suspended until further notice. That's now under investigation."

Mr Walker said he was determined to get to the bottom of the £8m shortfall and he has given assurances that his findings would be made public.

He said he was upset to find out about the deficit after he had been assured by Chief Constable Sean Price and the finance department that there was nothing to worry about.

Coun Walker said: "I am absolutely devastated by it. Two weeks ago I was told that I had nothing to worry about, that there was a £1m underspend, that we needed £2m in savings which could be achieved.

"The grand total of £3m would provide financing for the next financial year.

"I am determined I will leave no stone unturned."

The force had employed 65 civilian workers in the current financial year without notifying the police authority, he said. The true figure could be as many as 200 workers over two years, which Coun Walker said would be disturbing, if the inquiry proved it to be correct.

Coun Walker and authority chief executive Joe McCarthy were going through the force's financial papers yesterday ahead of a private meeting tomorrow, when members will be told of the final deficit.

HMIC chief Ken Williams carried out a scathing report, published last November, which said the service given to local people was "not acceptable".

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The HMIC met with the chief constable on February 10. There is a shortfall in Cleveland's budget. The budget will be reconfigured to take into account the problems associated with the shortfall."

Mr Prevell could not be contacted last night.