AN embattled chief constable could be sued by 20 officers in his own force alleging defamation of character.

Lawyers for the Police Federation are looking at representations made by the serving Cleveland Police officers following Chief Constable Barry Shaw's claim that Ray Mallon, former head of Middlesbrough CID, was at the centre of an "empire of evil".

Among those taking legal advice via the federation are six officers suspended as a result of the Operation Lancet anti-police corruption inquiry, which ended without a single officer being charged with any criminal offence.

However, these officers still face disciplinary hearings. They fear their cases were prejudiced by Mr Shaw's remarks in a speech condemning former Detective Superintendent Mallon at a meeting of the Cleveland Police Authority last week.

Police Inspector Paul Rider, chairman of the Cleveland branch of the Police Federation, said he had received representations from two groups of officers.

"One group is the suspended officers under investigation as part of Operation Lancet, the second is those who worked at Middlesbrough at the time Mr Mallon was there.

"A number of people who worked in Middlesbrough feel their character may have been defamed with references to 'an empire of evil'.

"The suspended officers feel their cases may have been prejudiced as a result of the comment. Collectively, all the officers think their characters have been brought into question."

Home Office advisor, Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate - a former police superintendent - was not surprised at the officers' reaction. He said: "It is an odd comment from someone who is going to sit in judgement on people. It's not giving them a chance to make representations before judgement is passed."

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "If anybody feels they want to take action, they can take it through the appropriate channels."