A SUPPORTER of so-called Robocop Ray Mallon is sure the suspended CID chief will answer accusations at a disciplinary hearing if he is forced to attend.

Cleveland Chief Constable Barry Shaw is refusing to accept Detective Superintendent Mallon's resignation from Cleveland Police.

Det Supt Mallon says his legal expense insurance has been exhausted and he cannot afford to foot a £120,000 bill so lawyers can defend him against "trumped up" disciplinary charges.

As a consequence, he will not be attending any disciplinary hearings and has tendered his resignation from the force to concentrate on campaigning for a "yes" vote in a referendum in October to decide whether Middlesbrough people should have a US-style elected mayor.

Despite being cleared of criminal wrongdoing in June 2000, Det Supt Mallon faces 14 disciplinary charges.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "If Ray is finally forced by the use of regulations to stay on, then I am sure he will continue to fight his corner with the great spirit he has shown the past.

"However, I can understand why he had been driven to want to resign. Quite simply, it seems to be a case of the police trying to force Ray Mallon into submission."

Redcar MP Vera Baird, a barrister, said Det Supt Mallon may be contractually obliged to attend the hearings.

The politician, who is demanding a public inquiry into the long-running Operation Lancet anti-corruption inquiry, in which eight officers, including Det Supt Mallon, were suspended, said he should attend the hearings.

She said: "My own view is he should face the disciplinary charges and get it behind him before he goes into public life."

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor said that as "unpleasant and unacceptable" as the entire Lancet episode had been to those involved and those who had watched the proceedings, Det Supt Mallon should not quit now.

She said: "I think Ray Mallon has been seen as someone with integrity, someone who has delivered in police terms, complimented by all sides and parties.

"He should see this whole episode out with that same integrity."

Referring to other officers who have been suspended as a result of Lancet, Stockton North Labour MP Frank Cook said: "Some have already faced disciplinary hearings and the consequences which have followed.

"It would be a travesty of justice if they were called to account to their actions, but Mr Mallon was treated differently."