A CHIEF constable has vowed to take action if any of his officers are found to have bent the rules amid allegations that police encouraged a loan to a criminal to buy shotguns.

Weeks after a loan of £600 was made to convicted armed robber Keith McQuade, Middlesbrough man Lee King, 32, was gunned down.

McQuade was arrested and charged with Mr King's shotgun killing, but he was acquitted at a murder trial.

Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price said: "I am most anxious to put the public's mind at rest about these serious concerns but must also be mindful of my need to operate within the law of contempt of court.

"When I am able to respond more fully, I will do so, and be assured that if I suspect that this force or any other has in any way strayed from its duties or acted outside the law, I will be steadfast in tackling the issue."

Cleveland Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker has called an emergency meeting of the watchdog group.

Details of the loan emerged during a case which was dramatically halted by Judge Peter Armstrong, at Teesside Crown Court, last week.

The hearing involved security firm boss Joe Livingstone and 11 other men charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis and Ecstasy.

Livingstone is said to have been given the go-ahead by police to loan McQuade - a convicted armed robber - money to buy shotguns.

Mr Price said: "I can say police received information that a known criminal Keith Joseph McQuade was attempting to borrow money with the intention of purchasing firearms in order to commit an armed robbery."

Mr Price said armed police mounted surveillance operation on McQuade.

"During that operation, no evidence of weapons was forthcoming. McQuade was subsequently arrested and charged with a shoplifting offence, however he was released on bail as a result of medical evidence that he was unfit to be detained further."

He said police took steps to have McQuade recalled to prison.

Mr Price said a warrant for McQuade's arrest was issued on December 24, 1999.

"He remained unlawfully at large until January 30, 2000, when he was arrested for the murder of Lee King, having presented himself at a police station accompanied by his solicitor."