A MAYOR is calling upon the author of a smear campaign to put up or shut up.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon last night condemned attacks on Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price, which try to apportion blame for the force's £7.3m budget deficit on him.

A yet-to-be published Audit Commission report into the financial blackhole reveals that Cleveland Police Authority was warned five years ago that financial problems lay ahead.

Mr Price has only worked in Cleveland for just over a year.

Mr Mallon said: "I am aware of a smear campaign and am concerned about it. If anyone has anything to say, they should come out in the open and make their views known."

He said of the police chief: "It is wrong that he is being treated in this way."

Mr Mallon stepped into the ring last night following the alleged leak of a letter sent to the Cleveland Police Authority by an anonymous whistle blower.

The mayor said: "I do feel that anyone who had any evidence regarding the black hole should have laid it before the Audit Commission. I will be contacting the police authority to ask them to look into this matter."

Mr Price said: "In recent weeks, I have become aware of a concerted smear campaign against myself and members of my team.

"I would ask those individuals to examine their consciences. They should consider the damage they are causing to the morale and reputation of the force, and start acting for the good of the public, rather than their own self interests.

"Let me make my position very clear. I have done nothing wrong, neither has my deputy."