CLEVELAND Police Authority last night said it had given Home Secretary David Blunkett the "full facts" over the Operation Lancet affair.

Chairman Ken Walker confirmed it had written to Mr Blunkett to detail its version of events surrounding anti-corruption investigation Lancet and the disciplinary proceedings against Ray Mallon.

The authority is now requesting a meeting with the Home Secretary, who has been under pressure to call a public inquiry.

This follows Wednesday's explosive police authority meeting in which Chief Constable Barry Shaw broke his silence to give his side of the story.

Councillor Walker said: "We believe it is vital the Home Secretary has a clear understanding of why it was so important to deal with the issues which led to the launch of Lancet.

"This includes why it has taken so long and cost so much money, and why Mr Mallon's actions led to so much delay and expense."

The Home Office said it had already announced a review of Lancet and would not comment further at this stage.

It was also confirmed last night that Chief Constable Shaw had been asked to consider a request to the Crown Prosecution Service to reconsider a criminal investigation into Mr Mallon.

The former head of Middlesbrough CID has now left the force, having admitted 14 internal disciplinary charges, in a bid to pursue his dream of being the town's first elected mayor.

He is taking legal advice over a claim that his accusers had "blatantly interfered" with the democratic process.

Mr Mallon said that at Wednesday's meeting, Chief Constable Shaw and Coun Walker conspired to persuade the people of Middlesbrough not to vote for him.

A source close to the man dubbed Robocop said: "They have done their best to destroy his chances.

"Ray as a suspended officer was not allowed to stand for mayor, and the chief constable is covered by the same law, which says a serving officer has to be impartial on such matters, yet he is still sticking his oar in."

But a spokesman for Cleveland Police said it was fully justified in trying to put the record straight.

He said: "We gave our side of the story - the truth - and the fact that Mr Mallon did not like it is neither here nor there."