MPs look set to hear about a controversial investigation into child abuse in the North-East when a Government inquiry gets underway tomorrow.

Claire Curtis-Thomas, MP for Crosby, near Liverpool is expected to severely criticise the controversial methods used by Northumbria Police during their £5m Operation Rose investigation into child abuse in 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 today.

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 ever experienced problems while in care. But 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, became one of the longest suspended teachers in the country, enduring a three-and-a-half year wait before his trial on child cruelty charges came to court.

The 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, a former Durham University student, was outraged yesterday at the thought 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 Claire 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."