THE fallout from Operation Lancet and the resignation of former CID chief Ray Mallon was continuing last night with new claim and counter-claim.

Cleveland Police Federation revealed it was taking legal advice over Chief Constable Barry Shaw's "empire of evil" speech.

Mr Shaw attacked Mr Mallon and detailed allegations involving officers drug taking and using inducements to gain confessions.

Several officers remain suspended as a result of anti-corruption inquiry Lancet with their disciplinary hearings yet to be heard.

They are said to feel that Mr Shaw's comments, as well as those made by Assistant Chief Constable Della Canning, reading from a background report, are prejudicial to their case.

Other officers who worked alongside Mr Mallon, but who were not involved in Lancet, have contacted the federation believing they too have been tarnished with the same brush.

Chief Inspector Paul Rider, chairman of the Cleveland Police Federation Joint Branch Board, said: "It is premature to say there will be legal action, but we are taking advice from our solicitors."

Cleveland Police said it stood by the comments made by Mr Shaw and others at Wednesday's police authority meeting.

Mr Mallon said he only admitted the charges so he could stand in the Middlesbrough mayor elections in May.