THE man leading the investigation into corruption allegations at Cleveland Police has hit back at claims from its suspended chief constable that parts of the inquiry were unlawful.

Keith Bristow, Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, has reported Sean Price’s comments to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Mr Price was arrested in August on suspicion of misconduct in public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice, following a series of dawn raids at addresses across the region.

Last week, Mr Price, his deputy, Derek Bonnard, and the force’s former solicitor, Caroline Llewellyn, were bailed until April next year as the investigation, which is costing in excess of £100,000 a month, continues. Speaking to Channel 4 news recently, Mr Price said he had raised concerns about the way documents relating to the inquiry had been seized.

In a statement issued through his solicitor at the time, Mr Price said: “I was arrested during a raid on my house at 6am and detained overnight. My home, office and vehicles were searched.

“Since then, I have been on bail and suspended. During my 30 hours in detention, I was interviewed four times and answered every question put to me.

“At no time during those interviews or the ten weeks since have any criminal allegations been put to me. I reiterate the statement from the time of my arrest – I am entirely innocent of any crime.

“The reason my lawyers have been given for this delay is that further interviews and inquiries are need to be carried out.

“I only wish these inquiries, which I know will confirm my innocence, had been carried out before my highly-publicised arrest and detention.”

Yesterday, Mr Bristow defended his officers and the investigation.

He said: “The allegation that I or any officer or member of staff under my command acted unlawfully is extremely serious and I have written to Mr Price asking him to report his concerns to Warwickshire Police Authority or the IPCC.

“I have already informed the authority, to whom I am accountable, and the IPCC, who investigate serious allegations against the police service, of Mr Price’s allegations.

“It is absolutely right and proper that any allegation of criminal conduct is reported to the appropriate legal authority and, if grounds for an investigation exist, that is progressed by the IPCC.

“No one can operate beyond the law. I am confident that our investigation has been lawful, ethical and proportionate and I would fully cooperate with any independent scrutiny of my actions or those of the investigation team.

“While neither the investigation nor I will join the general public debate or comment surrounding this investigation, any allegation we have acted without integrity, or unlawfully, must be fully investigated.

“Mr Price has been written to and asked to give this matter his urgent attention, providing the necessary evidence to support his allegations to the appropriate authority.”

The response came the day after Jacqui Cheer was unveiled as the temporary chief constable of Cleveland Police.

Mrs Cheer has taken over the force until the investigation into a number of people with current or past associations with Cleveland Police Authority, and the manner in which the authority may have conducted some of its business, has been concluded.