TAXPAYERS face a bill of more than £275,000 for an investigation into the conduct of a chief constable - with the potential for more costs still to be revealed.

North Yorkshire Police Authority yesterday released details of the costs it incurred during the investigation of Grahame Maxwell, which ended with the chief constable accepting a final written warning.

At a secret disciplinary hearing earlier this year, he admitted gross misconduct in that he helped a relative who was applying for a job during a recruitment drive in 2010.

Mr Maxwell remains in his job, despite calls for his resignation.

Last week, the Independent Police Complaint's Commission, which held the inquiry, revealed it had spent just under £100,000 investigating Mr Maxwell and his then deputy, Adam Briggs, who faced similar allegations and has since retired.

The police authority yesterday confirmed that it had incurred costs of almost £175,000 on the investigation - including legal fees, stationary, refreshments and venue hire for the hearing.

Costs incurred by the force itself, which have not yet been made public, could push the final bill for taxpayers up even further.

Ripon MP Julian Smith, who was one of a number of public figures to call for Mr Maxwell to resign, said: "Had the chief constable admitted his guilt late last year, instead of at the very last minute, hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money could have been saved.

"It is deeply regrettable that, during challenging financial times, the actions of the county's leading police officer should have cost the police authority so much.

"These figures are a further illustration of why Mr Maxwell no longer has the confidence of many of his officers or communities in North Yorkshire."

Neither the force itself nor the police authority could be contacted for comment before The Northern Echo went to press.