THE chairman of a North-East police authority involved in a criminal invetigation has resigned his position.

A number of people with links to Cleveland Police Authority, including chairman Dave McLuckie, are being interviewed during the independent inquiry led by the Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police.

Mr McLuckie, a Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillor, says he has no information on the nature of the allegations or who has made them.

He maintains he has never acted improperly during his time on the authority, but says he has resigned his position due to "pressures arising from the investigation".

In a statement released today, Mc McLuckie said: "I believe that it is in the best interests of the authority, the public we serve—and my own interests that I step down from the chair at this point.

"I will, of course, co-operate with the investigation but I repeat that I believe I have acted properly and in the interests of the public throughout my period on the authority and I will fight to defend my reputation and demonstrate that any allegations against me are without foundation."