A POLICE authority is being invited to find the £250,000 a suspended police chief will need to clear his name.

A preliminary hearing into 14 disciplinary charges facing suspended Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon is being held in Hertfordshire on Friday.

Mr Mallon has tendered his resignation from Cleveland Police because the insurance policy covering his legal expenses has been exhausted while he wants to campaign for a yes vote in an October referendum to decide whether Middlesbrough will have an elected mayor.

Cleveland Chief Constable Barry Shaw has refused to accept Mr Mallon's resignation.

Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, has said he would instruct his officers to look at ways to ensure money is not a reason for preventing the completion of the disciplinary process.

Mike Hymanson, Mr Mallon's solicitor, said yesterday Coun Walker expressed that intention two weeks ago.

He has now written to the politician telling him Mr Mallon's legal costs will be between £150,000 and £250,000 if he is to be represented at a seven-week hearing.

Mr Hymanson said: "Either they are going to support Ray Mallon financially or not. All we are asking is let us know which it is.''

Coun Walker said while he appreciated Det Supt Mallon's solicitors' wish for an early response, officers had to carry out proper inquiries in order to present a report to the authority.

He said: "Issues they will have to examine include the nature and complexity of the forthcoming disciplinary proceedings, the level of support provided by Mr Mallon's staff association and how those funds have been used to date, together with the level of support being requested would be used."