CLEARED police chief Ray Mallon last night launched his fightback with a blistering attack on those who suspended him.

Detective Superintendent Mallon has been on paid leave for two-and-a-half years and still does not know when he will be able to return to work, despite being cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

He finally broke his silence yesterday to demand his job back and pledged to crack down on crime as soon as he is reinstated as superintendent in charge of policing in Middlesbrough.

Det Supt Mallon has become a folk hero among supporters who applaud his Zero Tolerance policing methods.

Although he was cleared by the Operation Lancet corruption probe earlier this week, he still faces possible disciplinary action which could prevent him from returning for months.

Last night, it appeared he could contain himself no longer. He hit out at his critics in no uncertain terms claiming:

l He should be reinstated immediately;

l The inquiry which took two-and-a-half years could have been completed within weeks;

l Senior members of the police and the Police Complaints Authority had "a hidden agenda" and wanted him sidelined;

l He had become the victim of a "dirty tricks campaign".

Det Supt Mallon spoke out after a report by two leading Government barristers, who were brought in to review the evidence from Lancet, was leaked.

The report condemned Cleveland Police for its Zero Tolerance policy and labelled Middlesbrough CID a disgrace.

Most damning of all, it adds: "The department was at the very least contaminated by indiscipline and a complete indifference to the letter, let alone the spirit, of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984."

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last night both insisted they had not leaked any confidential lawyers' advice on Ray Mallon. It is, however, believed to have come from London.

His supporters said the leak had been timed to discredit the suspended police chief as he launched his campaign for reinstatement.

Det Supt Mallon said there was no justifiable reason for his continued suspension and that he has been subjected to a "witch hunt".

"I don't believe the first 21 months of Operation Lancet was impartial at all. It was one sided."

He claimed the overwhelming desire of former assistant chief constable Robert Turnbull - the man who suspended him from duty - and Andrew Timpson, Lancet's first appointed head, was " to get me at all costs".

Det Supt Mallon said he had been "abandoned" by the force executive and Mr Turnbull's "behaviour prior to my suspension was an absolute disgrace and his behaviour afterwards was even worse".

He added: "I have been getting paid a good wage for over two-and-a-half years and I haven't been able to pay the public back. It is my civil right to be allowed to work and I want to go back."

His comments provoked a rare outburst by Chief Constable Barry Shaw, who said: "Det Supt Mallon knows better than most the procedures that will have to be followed and the decisions that will have to be made before any consideration can be given to the return to duty of any suspended officer."

Mr Shaw said: "We totally disassociate ourselves with unwarranted criticism made by him of other agencies and statutory bodies."

In a direct appeal to the people of Cleveland he said: "Don't judge us now, judge us when this inquiry is completed. We are doing this for the right reasons."

Mr Shaw said: "This is an ongoing inquiry with officers still the subject of both criminal and disciplinary processes. The last thing we will do is jeopardise this investigation at this stage"

He claimed: "I am well aware the public of Cleveland have had to endure the pain of this inquiry for a long time, but it is important we stand together to finish what was started. This is not only in the interests of the people locally, but the public nationally.