THE future of an inquiry into the Operation Lancet anti-corruption investigation was thrown into doubt last night after a retired senior police officer was found dead in the bedroom of a North-East hotel.

Former Hampshire Chief Constable Sir John Hoddinott was brought in by former Home Secretary Jack Straw to conduct a review of police complaint procedures, following the protracted Operation Lancet investigation.

Lancet, set up to look into allegations of police corruption on Teesside, is estimated to have cost £7m over three and a half years and ended with no arrests.

Sir John, 56, had been in Middlesbrough yesterday to hold preliminary meetings for his investigation when he was found by a colleague and a room attendant dead in his bed at the Thistle Hotel.

The Home Office said last night it would disclose later this week whether the inquiry would continue following Sir John's death. A spokesman said: "We are saddened to hear of the death of Sir John Hoddinott. We need now to stand back and take stock."

Sir John and a colleague, retired Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Ackerman, booked into the hotel at 11.30pm on Sunday and went to their rooms shortly after midnight without eating or drinking.

The room attendant and Mr Ackerman discovered Sir John's body at about 8.45am yesterday.

Neal Crocker, manager of the Thistle Hotel, said: "It is a tragedy. The police have been at the hotel most of the day and the death was purely through natural causes."

Senior politicians on Teesside last night called for the investigation into Lancet to continue with a public inquiry.

Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland said: "The only way we can find out exactly what happened is with a public inquiry."

Redcar MP Vera Baird said: "I will anxiously urge David Blunkett to look for alternative means and put a public inquiry back on the agenda, quickly."

Former police chief Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, who had only just submitted evidence to Sir John, said: "We have to learn the truth. All we had so far is spin."