HAS there ever been a police force so dogged with controversy as Cleveland Police? After the depressing days of Operation Lancet, and the millions of pounds of public money which went down the drain, the task of rebuilding public confidence in the force was a challenging one.

Instead of the hoped for restoration of credibility, we are left with a new crisis which is adding to the public perception of a police force which hasn't got a clue.

The question of who is to blame for a £7.3m budget deficit is a crucial one but has led to an extraordinary stand-off between the chairman of the police authority, Councillor Ken Walker, other members of the authority, and the new Chief Constable Sean Price.

Mr Walker has temporarily resigned because the authority members vetoed a statement from Mr Price making it clear that the authority chairman was not to blame and conceding that the force "got things spectacularly wrong".

Mr Walker says that resignation may become permanent if Mr Price remains as Chief Constable.

We take no pleasure in saying it - again - but what a sorry mess.

While we understand Mr Walker's eagerness to be exonerated, it makes sense to wait for the publication of the Audit Commission's reports on the financial crisis before blame is apportioned.

When it is, Mr Walker can be assured that those at fault will be clearly identified.

In the meantime, we have taken careful note of Mr Walker's impassioned comments about the need for transparency.

Since The Northern Echo has called for exactly that over several years, we look forward to seeing evidence of Mr Walker's enlightened approach if he does return as chairman.