A POLICE chief's four year bid to clear his name is set to take a new twist today.

Suspended Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon, former head of Middlesbrough CID, faces 14 disciplinary charges arising out of the long running Operation Lancet, anti police corruption inquiry.

Mr Mallon, dubbed Robocop for his zero tolerance approach to crime, was suspended from duty on December 1, 1997 for "alleged activity which could be construed as criminal".

Cleared of any criminal wrongdoing on June 20, last year, Mr Mallon faces what he dismisses as a list of "trumped up" charges to be heard at internal disciplinary hearings.

In August, he announced his desire to run as elected mayor for Middlesbrough, after exhausting his legal expense insurance.

The detective's solicitor, Mr Mike Hymanson, said both he and a barrister would accompany Mr Mallon to a pre-hearing into the disciplinary matters today.

Asked if Mr Mallon would be legally represented at the main hearings which would follow, Mr Hymanson said: "That depends on what happens tomorrow. I think there are certain applications to make tomorrow which will basically mean we will be asking for it not to go ahead until next Monday.

"At least one way or another there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Cleveland Police declined to comment.