THE police authority chairman heading Britain's most controversial force was humiliated last night as he tried to cling on to his position.

Councillor Ken Walker was beaten in a ballot to choose candidates for Cleveland Police Authority from Middlesbrough Council's Labour group. It is believed three other nominees - Barry Coppinger, Michael Carr and Bob Brady - all polled more than 20 votes.

Coun Walker, who has served the authority for almost a decade, was backed by only nine colleagues.

His defeat was greeted with joy in some quarters, with long-time critic Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, saying: "Today's a good day."

Coun Walker, who has survived numerous calls for his resignation, reacted to his defeat with anger, blaming the local media for a "clearly orchestrated campaign" to undermine him.

The councillor left last night's group annual meeting in a hurry, but later released a statement that told of his disappointment at failing to win the support of his colleagues.

It said: "In politics one learns never to be surprised and to accept that popularity and doing what you believed to be the right thing may not always go hand in hand.

"At the same time, I think that I do have to say that never in all my years in public life have I seen the kind of quite deliberate - and I believe clearly orchestrated - campaign which has been mounted within the local media with the clear aim of undermining my position and undermining the democratic processes of the Labour Party.

"I believe that we have reached a very sad and dangerous situation when the local media sees its role as not simply reporting and commenting on a political process but actually shaping its outcome."

Coun Walker was in charge of the authority during the force's darkest days as Operation Lancet - Britain's longest-running police corruption inquiry, costing £5m - resulted in eight officers being suspended.

More recently, the force hit the headlines when a £7.3m "black hole" was found in the budget, which led to wrangling over who was to blame.

Following last night's secret ballot, Middlesbrough Council's Labour group leader, Councillor Paul Thompson, said: "The Labour Group is of the view that a change of political leadership is required in the police authority."