RAY MALLON faces a political minefield as he bids to plot a course for Middlesbrough during his term in mayoral office.

The former head of Middlesbrough CID has already taken more than one swipe at the town's Labour controlled council and now faces the task of trying to reunite it behind him.

Mr Mallon, who campaigned on pledges to cut crime, boost education spending and get rid of Middlesbrough's cloth cap image, has been critical of excessive tax demands on local people.

He has also called for a top-to-bottom review of the way Middlesbrough is run by the council.

One of his biggest critics, Councillor Ken Walker, was replaced as council leader last month.

But Coun Walker still remains in the foreground in his role as chairman of the powerful police authority and maintains a strong influence with many councillors.

Mr Mallon does have his supporters among the Labour-led controlling group and, indeed, a breakaway faction did actively try and persuade him to stand as the party's candidate.

Still, he may have alienated others with the baggage he brings from the Operation Lancet saga and his time at Cleveland Police.

Yesterday, in a confrontational victory speech, he broadly attacked the quality of local councillors.

But at the same time he said he will invite every Middlesbrough councillor to apply for the post of commissioners on his new cabinet and interview and choose the best candidates.

Professor John Tomaney, of Newcastle University's centre for urban and regional development studies, an expert in regional government, said: "It will be a bit of a political minefield for Ray Mallon.

"The fact that he is an independent will have caused enormous tension within the Labour group and may still when he comes to office.

"He will face an interesting dilemma in choosing a cabinet with so many people having already formed opinions over his past."

Prof Tomaney said that Mr Mallon would have to "negotiate a relationship" with organisations such as Cleveland Police Authority, with whom he has been in conflict, which also may prove difficult.

Mr Mallon indicated yesterday that he intends to appoint a commissioner to take full responsibility for law and order strategy.

He said: "Chief Constable Barry Shaw is in control of Cleveland Police.

"He has a constitutional position. However, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places responsibility on a local authority to devise a crime reduction strategy and work with others to implement it.

"So this council will have tremendous influence in that area."

Mr Mallon's strong stance on crime may well bring him into conflict with the Cleveland Police Authority and old adversary Ken Walker.

He is expected to push his own lieutenants forward for places on the authority, although this ultimately will be decided by the entire council.

Coun Walker's viewpoint is unclear, but in a statement Cleveland Police said it was prepared to work with whoever was chosen as mayor.

Chief Constable Shaw, who has previously called Mr Mallon a "proven liar", will also have to work in partnership with him.

Prof Tomaney said that with a powerful personality and a high-profile Ray Mallon was well placed to face the challenges ahead of him.

But he added: "The voters have taken a huge leap in the dark here.

"No one knows what the outcome will be. This is a new experiment which has never been done before and it would be a fool who would predict how things will end up.