MPs are expected to be told about a controversial investigation into child abuse in the North-East when a Government inquiry gets under way today.

Claire Curtis-Thomas, MP for Crosby, near Liverpool is expected to criticise the controversial methods used by Northumbria Police during its £5m Operation Rose investigation into abuse at children's homes.

She will outline serious reservations about the "trawling" methods used to root-out child abuse victims when she gives evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee.

The committee, chaired by Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin, has launched an inquiry into the conduct of child-abuse investigations amid increasing fears of scores of miscarriages of justice resulting from false accusations.

During the five-year Operation Rose inquiry, 1,800 letters were sent to ex-residents asking if they had experienced problems while in care.

Critics claim it led to dozens of complaints from people who were motivated by large compensation pay-outs.

Former teachers in the North-East, who endured lengthy court ordeals before being cleared, said the operation had ruined their lives and left them unemployable.

Teacher Ray Johnston, of Northumberland, endured a three-and-a-half year wait before his trial on child cruelty charges came to court.

His case was eventually thrown out by the Recorder of Newcastle, David Hodson, who ruled the lengthy delay had breached his human rights.

He has since lodged a complaint against Northumbria Police, citing victimisation and malicious prosecution. But five months later, the complaint has yet to be officially recorded by Northumbria Police.

Mr Johnston was outraged yesterday at the suggestion that his complaint may never be recorded. "My complaint is going nowhere. It would seem the police are intent on diluting it and then closing the book," he said.

A spokesman for Ms Curtis-Thomas said: "She feels the processes by which these cases are investigated are flawed and has led quite possibly to wrongful convictions. I am sure Operation Rose will be mentioned."

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said Mr Johnston had raised a number of issues which were "under active consideration"