PRESSURE was growing last night on Cleveland Police to conclude its inquiry into a senior officer accused of relieving himself against a presidential palace.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Pitt was caught on camera apparently urinating beside a wall while on official duties in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.

The incident, which caused huge embarrassment for the Cleveland force, led to a court fine for Mr Pitt who was forced to resign, despite protesting his innocence.

An internal investigation began, but privately Mr Pitt has told friends that he is frustrated by the length of time it is taking and is "in limbo".

The former police chief hopes to win the backing of force bosses and then submit a dossier of evidence in his defence to the Lithuanian Minister of Justice following further examination of CCTV footage.

He has also enlisted Stockton North MP Frank Cook to help his cause in clearing his name with the Lithuanian authorities.

Mr Cook declined to comment last night, saying it was a matter between him and his constituent.

But parliamentary colleague Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, a long-standing critic of a number of lengthy inquiries involving Cleveland Police, said: "The mind boggles as to why such a simple inquiry which should have been dealt with effectively and efficiently is moving at a snail's pace.

"Again the taxpayer will have to pick up the tab, I am afraid."

Superintendent Graham Cummings, a spokesman for the Cleveland branch of the Superintendents' Association, said: "On occasions, inquiries do take too long and we would hope that they are completed as expeditiously as possible.

"In any cases such as this, we would ask that the individuals concerned are kept informed of any reason for delay."

Mr Pitt had been in Lithuania to teach anti-corruption techniques and claims he was framed after accusing officers of stealing cash from his pocket following his arrest.

His colleague, Inspector Kerry Anderson, who was also arrested after being caught on CCTV near the palace wall, but faced no charges, is understood to have already given his version of events to the Cleveland force.

A force spokesman said: "An internal inquiry is on-going and once completed we will be more than willing to make a statement."