THE man who suspended Ray Mallon was last night remaining silent amid calls for him to return from his Caribbean home to answer the critics.

Robert Turnbull, who, as an assistant chief constable with Cleveland Police suspended Det Supt Mallon in 1997, is now the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Commissioner of Police.

Mr Turnbull faced widespread criticism when he quit the force before the end of his contract and subsequently took up the job in the Caribbean.

He took a golden handshake worth £180,000 and a £50,000 a year pension, only to land the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands job, with an estimated salary of £40,000 tax free, free flights and accommodation.

The Northern Echo last night contacted Mr Turnbull in the Turks and asked him to comment on the news that no charges were to be brought against Det Supt Mallon. Mr Turnbull said: "I have no comment to make. Nothing at all."

Local MPs have other ideas, however.

Both Ashok Kumar and Dari Taylor have written to the Home Secretary urging him to make Mr Turnbull to return so for questioning about the investigation.

Ms Taylor, MP for Stockton South, wants an independent inquiry into Lancet.

In a letter to Home Secretary Jack Straw, she says: "Many people believe that this investigation was primarily motivated by petty jealousies rather than impartial judgements leading to allegations of inappropiate policing activity."

She said: "There are probably eight professional policemen whose careers are ruined. I have been appalled by this and I am sending a letter to Jack Straw asking him for a meeting.

"I want to know what these allegations were, if they were based on fact or tittle tattle and self motivation."

Mrs Taylor claimed: "As politicians we have to say to the public we represent we take responsibility for the statements and actions we make. It should be no different for others.

"There is only one person whose statements and actions are important here - Robert Turnbull. I think it would be appropriate for him to be brought back to talk to an independent inquiry."

She joins Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Dr Kumar and Labour Peer Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, in calls for an independent inquiry.

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke told the 'Commons last week he sees "no merit in a public inquiry."

Coun Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said last night: "The fact is that the Home Office has already begun a comprehensive review of the working of the police complaints system and it seems sensible that these issues should be considered as part of that review."

Referring to Mr Clarke's thoughts on the subject, Coun Walker said: "In the light of that very clear statement, it seems to me that the realistic way forward is to use the Home Office review as the way of raising the concerns which are widely felt by the public - and shared by the Police Authority."