FORMER detective Ray Mallon was last night facing the fresh prospect of criminal charges after the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it was re-examining the Operation Lancet files.

The CPS said yesterday it had received the Lancet files for the second time and was considering whether a prosecution should go ahead.

The development came on the day Middlesbrough Council accepted Mr Mallon's nomination papers for the post of mayor.

The former head of Middlesbrough CID has already been cleared of criminal wrong-doing following the long-running Lancet anti-corruption inquiry.

But, following his admission last month of 14 disciplinary charges which arose from Lancet, a decision was taken on behalf of Cleveland Police Authority to resubmit files to the CPS for further consideration.

Last night, the authority and its chairman, Councillor Ken Walker, were under fire from Mr Mallon and his supporters.

"Cleveland police and others never cease to amaze me," said Mr Mallon. "They are continuing to waste public money, with the CPS under-resourced as it is.

"The time it will now spend on the Lancet files would be better spent reviewing the files of criminals who have committed serious offences."

Mr Mallon said he had been cleared previously by authorities independent of Cleveland police and expected the same would happen again.

Former Home Office advisor Lord MacKenzie, of Framwellgate, said to re-examine whether criminal charges should be brought was a waste of time.

Mr Mallon - dubbed Robocop for his zero tolerance approach to policing - said he was forced to admit the charges against him so he could be free of Cleveland police in time to run for mayor.

Chief Constable Barry Shaw will update members on the situation at a meeting of the authority today.