THE Lord Chancellor has ordered an investigation into the performance of a North-East coroner amid complaints of a huge backlog of inquests.

Michael Sheffield, the coroner for Teesside, has already faced criticism from relatives and the deputy chief constable of Cleveland Police over more than 300 pending inquests.

Earlier this month it was revealed that the Prime Minister's office had written to Mr Sheffield asking for an explanation.

Last night, the Lord Chancellor announced that he had written to the Lord Chief Justice asking him to appoint a judge to investigate.

Depending on the report, Mr Sheffield could be disciplined or even sacked.

Lord Falconer is to order a formal investigation into Mr Sheffield's performance, following representations from Vera Baird, MP for Redcar.

He says in a letter to her: "Having seen the evidence you have provided, I agree with you that Mr Sheffield's performance should be investigated. I have written to the Lord Chief Justice asking that he appoint a judge to carry out the investigation.

"I very much share your concerns about Mr Sheffield's performance. He has over many years made a significant contribution to the coroner service, both locally and nationally, but in the light of events over the past few years, I do think the time has now come for me to consider whether, I should exercise my powers under the Coroner's Act and/or at common law."

Mr Sheffield could not be contacted last night.

But only days ago he told The Northern Echo that the backlog had not been his fault - it was because of a lack of experienced staff. This accounted for a gradual increase in the number of outstanding inquests between 1996 to the end of 2000.

"There was a further increase at the end of 2002 because three coroners' officers were absent, each for a period of approximately six months," said Mr Sheffield, who claimed he had made representations by letter and telephone to the chief constable of Cleveland for more coroner's officers.

Thanks to improved staff levels, 117 inquests had been opened and 159 completed up to the end of June this year.

Vera Baird said: "I went to see the Lord Chancellor on my own, supported by letters from the four other Teesside MPs.

"We are all sorry it had to come to this but felt we had a duty to ask the Lord Chancellor to investigate the way in which the coroner has, over the past few years, been carrying out his duties and the impact it has had on our constituents.