RAY Mallon last night hit back against the most savage public condemnation he has ever faced.

The former detective claimed Chief Constable Barry Shaw and police authority chairman Ken Walker had launched a bid to persuade the Middlesbrough public not to vote for him in the mayoral elections in May.

He also welcomed moves to resubmit files from anti-corruption inquiry Operation Lancet to the Crown Prosecution Service with a view to re-examining the possibility of criminal charges.

In a hastily convened Press conference, Mr Mallon said the Chief Constable had failed to remain impartial following comments Mr Shaw made to the Police Complaints Authority about "taking Mr Mallon's legs off before he takes yours".

He also said there had already been a thorough and impartial review of the evidence from Operation Lancet by West Yorkshire Police.

This concluded with the view of the investigating officer who said a criminal case against Detective Superintendent Mallon was weak and unlikely to succeed.

He responded to claims made earlier in the day by Mr Shaw at a Cleveland Police Authority meeting that he ruled over an "empire of evil".

Mr Mallon said: "I should remind the Chief Constable that this 'empire of evil' cut total crime in Middlesbrough by over 20 per cent and house burglaries by 40 per cent.

"That was before the decision to suspend me and falsely accuse me of criminal conduct."

Mr Mallon said he had told the people of Middlesbrough he wished to stand as mayor, and after his disciplinary hearing was delayed until July, the only way he could keep his word was to admit the 14 disciplinary internal charges against him.

"The Chief Constable and his cronies have spectacularly failed to provide a single rational explanation as to why I would admit these charges other than the reason I have already given - to ensure my name is on the ballot paper."

He added: "I have a message for Barry Shaw. I am from Teesside and have worked long and hard to clean up these streets and know the public well.

"They are honest and fair minded, not the gullible fools you seem to think they are and they will see through today's pantomime and be the judge in May."