THE NEW chief constable of Cleveland Police is facing his first complaint - just 24 hours after taking up the post.

Sean Price, who took over from controversial former chief Barry Shaw on Monday, has already been threatened with allegations of malicious prosecution.

The former deputy chief constable of Nottinghamshire police had promised a fresh start for the force after five years of wrangling during the Operation Lancet inquiry.

The threat of legal action came after the collapse of a case involving Middlesbrough pub bosses, brothers Lee and Stephen Spensley.

At Teesside Crown Court on Monday, Judge Les Spittle threw out charges relating to laundering cash for Maureen McPartland, the widow of Teesside drugs overlord John McPartland.

James Watson, of Watson Woodhouse Solicitors, who represents the Spensleys, said Cleveland Police have a number of allegations to answer.

He said these included ordering a massive investigation into the family without any complaints being made, and using MI5 surveillance teams to follow them.

Mr Watson said: "If the police force are open and accountable, there should be no difficulty in these questions being answered publicity.

"If the police refuse to do so, then the Spensley family intend to consider whether to issue proceedings against the Chief Constable of Cleveland Constabulary for malicious prosecution."

However, a police spokes-man said Mr Price had no case to answer.

He said: "Drug dealing is a multi-million pound business and responsible for the generation of most of the crime in this area.

"Any reasonable person would expect and require the force to fully investigate all suspected links to major players in the drugs world. To do otherwise would be a dereliction of duty."