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Two senior officers have been suspended by Cleveland Police as an investigation into the illegal use of spying powers continues.

A probe launched by the police watchdog is focusing on the alleged gross misconduct of seven officers - five now retired - and one member of police staff.

Two have now been suspended, while the senior staff member has been moved to a different role.

The officers have not been named, but its understood they hold senior positions within the force.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its investigation into the use of anti-terror laws to spy on ex-officers and journalists reached a "significant milestone" last week , when the gross misconduct notices were served.

(Image: Ian Cooper)

It will decide whether any criminal or misconduct action can be taken - although the IOPC said it is not a criminal investigation at this stage.

Now, a Cleveland Police spokesperson has confirmed: "Two senior police officers have been suspended and a senior member of police staff has been temporarily redeployed into a restricted role.

"This is in connection with an ongoing Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation being carried out by West Midlands Police.

"The decision to suspend two officers and redeploy a member of staff has not been taken lightly and represents a proportionate and balanced determination in the interests of all concerned.

"The decisions are made on an individual basis. Both are neutral acts and neither suspension nor redeployment are misconduct outcomes nor are they a presumption of guilt or a predetermination of the outcome of an investigation.

"Cleveland Police has a commitment to learning and improving and we recognise the importance to communities, complainants and our staff that these matters are resolved. To this end we continue to assist the IOPC and co-operate fully with investigators."

Operation Forbes was launched in February 2018 and is looking at the force's use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) .

A 2017 Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruling found that Cleveland Police broke the law when it tracked the phones of two police officers, Mark Dias and Stephen Matthews, a solicitor and journalists.

It is also investigating the treatment of former PC Nadeem Saddique.

An employment tribunal in November 2015 found the officer had been subject to racial discrimination .

The IPOC said all enquiries are now complete into this part of the investigation and its final report will soon be sent to the force for its consideration.

The third strand of the IOPC probe is looking at complaints linked to how Cleveland Police carried out an Equality Review in 2011.

It said these complaints, which include allegations of discrimination, were initially investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service.

It added the investigation is ongoing but no notices have been served and it is not a criminal investigation.

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