A MAN leading an investigation into allegations of perjury involving officers from a North-East police force has been rushed into hospital.

Superintendent Norman Taylor was taken ill as finishing touches were being put to a report on the findings of a three-year inquiry into claims by a former Cleveland Police traffic patrol officer.

Sultan Alam says he was jailed for handling stolen cars because he was set up by fellow officers.

It was first thought that Supt Taylor had suffered a heart attack, but doctors have diagnosed cardio-vascular problems. He will be off work for at least a month.

Senior officers were included among the Cleveland Police officers questioned by the Operation Granite team, headed by Supt Taylor, who have been working from a secure building.

Mr Alam was jailed in 1996, although he denied the charge. He served nine months of an 18-month sentence.

A year before he was imprisoned, Mr Alam took the force to an industrial tribunal, claiming racial discrimination.

He lost, but Peter Rennie, chairman of the panel, accused some senior officers of suffering a "convenient and partial loss of memory".

Anne Boustred, the case's supervising member with the Police Complaints Authority, in London, was planning to travel north for talks with Supt Taylor before the final report is sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will assess whether there are grounds for criminal charges.

Mr Alam said: "I am concerned for him (Supt Taylor) and wish him a speedy recovery. Obviously, I am thankful it was not more serious than it was.