HUMBERSIDE chief constable Lee Freeman has been appointed to lead Cleveland Police on a temporary secondment.

The three-month arrangement was agreed today following the resignation of Chief Constable Mike Veale last week amid allegations of misconduct.

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger told The Northern Echo today that whistleblowers came forward with allegations about Mr Veale before Christmas.

And last week he reported the Chief Constable to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation, while Mr Veale took the decision to resign with immediate effect on Friday.

Mr Freeman will make his first visit to the Force on Wednesday 23rd January and will take up his post on Monday 28th January.

Until his arrival, the Chief Officer team will continue to lead the Force.

PCC Barry Coppinger said: “I would like to express my thanks to... Humberside for their continued support in facilitating these arrangements.

“Lee has an excellent track record and comes highly recommended by the College of Policing.

“I’m sure he will quickly establish himself and will bring a period of stability while we look to begin the recruitment process for a new Chief Constable."

Mr Coppinger brushed off calls for him to resign yesterday, saying the two politicians who had called for him to go did so 'without any benefit or knowledge of what has happened'.

However he refused to specify the exact nature of the allegations regarding Mr Veale's conduct.