A MAYORAL candidate's decision to take his claims of a dirty tricks vendetta to the top has surprised a police authority chairman.

Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said he found it "quite staggering'' that former senior detective Ray Mallon is appealing to Home Secretary David Blunkett to ensure mayoral elections in Middlesbrough, in which Mr Mallon is a candidate, are "fair and proper".

The ex-head of Middlesbrough CID was this month "required to resign'' after admitting 14 disciplinary charges.

Coun Walker last night hit back at Mr Mallon's claims that both he and Cleveland Chief Constable Barry Shaw have been presenting the public with "selective and misleading" information surrounding the disciplinary charges levelled against the shamed detective.

Mr Mallon claims he admitted all 14 charges in a bid to be free of Cleveland Police in time to run for mayor in May.

Coun Walker said: "It would appear that what he does not like is that the other side of the story is now starting to come out, and that people are now starting to see through the smokescreen of accusation and innuendo which has clouded public perceptions for so long.''

He claimed no spin could be put on the harsh fact that an independent chief constable, chairing the disciplinary hearing, had required Mr Mallon to resign, while the Police Complaints Authority had condemned his behaviour as "wholly incompatible with the standards required of even the most junior of police staff".

Coun Walker said: "Mr Mallon may be unhappy that the facts may interfere with his ambitions for public office but I believe the public deserve to be told the truth."