SUSPENDED supercop Ray Mallon has angered his bosses by speaking out.

The detective superintendent has received a written warning from Cleveland Police to take care in what he says after agreeing to appear at three public meetings with Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Ashok Kumar on the theme of law and order.

The MP, a self confessed admirer of Zero Tolerance architect Mr Mallon, said that ideas and suggestions that come out of the meetings, at Middlesbrough last night, and others to come next month at Guisborough and Skelton, could shape future Government policy.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "The assistant chief constable, Miss Della Cannings, has written to Mr Mallon to highlight to him his responsibilities as a police officer under police regulations, in particular, the need for political impartiality.''

Mr Mallon angrily retorted: "As far as Cleveland Police are concerned, they will not dictate to me, under any circumstances, where and when I will speak on any subject. That is a matter for me and not for them.''

He said he had met Tory Home Secretary Michael Howard, his present Labour successor Jack Straw and been asked by his bosses to shake hands with Prime Minister then in waiting, Tony Blair. Appearing with Ashok Kumar was no different, Mr Mallon argued.

He was suspended more than three years ago as a result of the Operation Lancet anti-corruption inquiry, and was subsequently cleared of any hint of wrongdoing, but is expected to face disciplinary hearings in June.

Conservative Middlesbrough Councillor Brenda Thompson said: "I am outraged that a serving police officer is on a political platform with Ashok Kumar. I think it is against all protocols. I have been in touch with the chairman of the police authority.''

Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe said of Mr Mallon's participation in last night's public meeting: "I hope that he would accept an invitation if it was extended from our candidate in the area.''

Dr Kumar said he was "honoured and privileged'' to share a platform with Mr Mallon.

He said: "Ray Mallon is known all over Teesside - and indeed all over the UK - for his robust no-nonsense ideas and approaches to tackling crime."