LABOUR members made an informal approach to controversial former detective Ray Mallon about standing as the party's candidate for mayor of Middlesbrough, it emerged last night.

Senior local figures are understood to have contacted the detective at the centre of the Operation Lancet inquiry several months ago.

The approach was rebuffed and Labour adopted Middlesbrough Councillor Sylvia Connolly as the official candidate two weeks ago.

But supporters of the police officer - who resigned from the force last week after pleading guilty to 14 disciplinary charges to stand as an independent candidate in this summer's election - said the incident exposes a significant split within Labour's ranks.

Speaking on the BBC TV's North of Westminster programme yesterday, Chris Lenny, regional director of Labour North, admitted: "A number of people considered that he might make a good candidate and that's right and proper, but there was never any formal approach either from Ray Mallon to the party or from the party to Ray Mallon to stand.

"All Labour members will be backing Sylvia Connolly and she will end up as mayor."

In a heated television debate with Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell, Mr Mallon said that there was "a massive split" in the party between his supporters and those backing the official Labour candidate.

Mr Mallon added that while he considered the approach, he had ultimately turned it down.

"I want to represent the people of Middlesbrough, I will put their interests first, not the Labour Party's," he said.

But Mr Bell rejected the contention there was any significant split in the party on Teesside.

And Ms Connolly said: "I am very well aware that here are a small number of men in the party who have their own agenda, but I have had dozens of letters of support and that reflects the true view of the Labour Party in Middlesbrough."