A SUSPENDED policeman last night accused his bosses of waging a vendetta against him.

Detective Constable Brendon Whitehead, who is based in Middlesbrough, was yesterday charged with seven disciplinary offences by Cleveland Police, including discreditable conduct, neglect of duty, drinking on duty and falsehood or prevarication.

He was suspended from duty in October 1997 at the beginning of the Operation Lancet inquiry into allegations that drugs were being traded for crime intelligence - but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against him or another seven suspended colleagues.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "We can confirm that a police officer was charged with a number of disciplinary offences following an investigation into drugs allegations that was part of the Operation Lancet inquiry.''

Reacting to yesterday's charges, Mr Whitehead said: "After a costly and lengthy investigation the CPS quite rightly concluded that criminal charges were not justified against me.

"Bearing in mind that the burden of proof is the same for disciplinary charges, it is surprising that Cleveland Police has come to a different conclusion.

"I don't believe these charges are justified and that they are further evidence of a campaign of victimisation against myself and other dedicated officers in a bid to somehow justify the farce that is Operation Lancet.''

Two superintendents from the force face a total of 18 disciplinary charges with five more junior officers facing a total of 31 disciplinary offences.