VERY few people can have doubted that Cleveland Chief Constable Barry Shaw was right to begin Operation Lancet four years ago when serious allegations came to his attention.

However, since then, the Operation has degenerated into a farce. Now, as it approaches its denouement, there is as much confusion as there is controversy.

Yesterday's befuddling episode started with Mr Shaw appearing on Radio Cleveland and agreeing with The Northern Echo's report last Friday that the Crown Prosecution Service was not going to proceed with criminal cases against the suspended policemen because of lack of evidence.

But then Mr Shaw's aides insisted that the CPS was still considering "live and active" criminal files against the men.

This confusion will be easily cleared up by the CPS early next week - although it is indicative of the mess that Cleveland police are now in.

The next step in this saga looks even more confused. As Mr Shaw agreed yesterday, there is "no evidence" or "insufficient evidence" for criminal proceedings, but he is still likely to press on with internal disciplinary hearings.

So evidence that would not stand up in a court of law which is open to the eyes of the world will be used in an internal hearing which will be held behind closed doors.

And who will be the judge and jury at that closed hearing? None other than Mr Shaw himself. Mr Shaw, of course, is the man currently being investigated by South Yorkshire police for allegedly leaking information designed to harm the case of suspended Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon to a newspaper.

And who is the man who will be in the dock at that closed hearing? Det Supt Ray Mallon.

It is little wonder that Mr Mallon fears that such a hearing would be a kangeroo court.

And it is absolutely no wonder that the people of Cleveland are asking why it has taken four years and anything up to £7m to create this unproductive confusion when the money would have been much better spent fighting crime.