THE Government is being asked to help meet the costs of a criminal investigation into Cleveland Police’s chief constable.

James Wharton, Stockton South MP, has met Home Secretary Theresa May to raise concerns about the potential financial impact on the force and the continuing role of the man leading the probe, Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police Keith Bristow, who was recently appointed as the head of the new National Crime Agency.

Sean 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 as part of Operation Sacristy.

Last month, Mr Price, his deputy, Derek Bonnard, and the force’s former solicitor, Caroline Llewellyn, were bailed until April as the investigation, which is costing more than £100,000 a month, continues.

Mr Wharton has asked the Home Secretary whether Cleveland Police Authority will be able to access a contingency fund to help meet the cost of the investigation.

He said: “There are certain criteria to fulfil before additional funding can be released and the Home Secretary has asked me to get a more detailed breakdown, which I will be asking Cleveland Police Authority to provide as soon as possible.

“Once we have this information, we can look in detail at what the options are. I will be doing all I can to ensure frontline services across the Cleveland Police area do not suffer because of the cost of this investigation.”

He added: “I expressed concern that Mr Bristow’s appointment to head up the National Crime Agency would mean he cannot continue to lead the investigation in Cleveland. This would mean someone new taking over and potentially increase cost and delay as another chief constable gets to grips with the job.

“The Home Secretary indicated that she would look at whether Mr Bristow could stay as an advisor, allowing the investigation to carry on smoothly and be completed as soon as possible. I know this would be a welcome development, we all want this to be resolved.”

The move has been welcomed by Police Authority chairman, Peter Race. “We are obviously very grateful for the support we have received from our local MPs in relation to the investigation being led by the Chief Constable of Warwickshire – and in particular the issue of seeking Government assistance to meet the costs,” he said.

“We share Mr Wharton’s concern that the costs of the investigation should not impact on frontline policing services, and welcome his support for allowing the Chief Constable of Warwickshire to continue leading the investigation to its conclusion.

“We will, of course, be happy to work with Mr Wharton in identifying information he may wish to provide to the Home Secretary.”