Latest Teesside headlines straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The Tees Mayor says the man picked to lead scandal-hit Cleveland Police “shouldn’t be taking charge”.

Ben Houchen believes the Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger should “really reconsider appointing” Mike Veale after new allegations came to light last week.

The controversy-hit former Wiltshire Police chief was chosen to be the next Chief Constable in Cleveland by Mr Coppinger earlier this month .

Mr Veale had already faced criticism for his handling of an inquiry into former Prime Minister Sir Ted Heath.

It has since come to light he was being investigated for allegedly damaging a mobile phone belonging to Wiltshire Police.

Mr Coppinger said he offered Mr Veale the role in the full knowledge of the misconduct allegation .

Conservative Mayor Mr Houchen has now called on Labour’s Mr Coppinger to halt the appointment.

He said: “Mike Veale shouldn’t be taking charge, and Barry Coppinger and Cleveland Police really need to seriously reconsider appointing him.

“I have absolutely no faith that our new Chief Constable will be able to provide the support that is required for our frontline police officers to fulfil their duty to protect the public.”

Wiltshire crime commissioner Angus Macpherson, said Mr Veale’s contract negotiations had been “put on hold” because of the latest investigation, led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

In a statement, Mr Macpherson said: “It is not the case that Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson refused to renew it because of these allegations.”

And last week the IOPC piled extra resources into a separate, wide-ranging investigation into allegations of racism and phone snooping at Cleveland Police.

(Image: Peter Reimann)

Last year, the force disbanded its professional standards department after several high profile controversies.

And Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke has backed his Tory colleague Mr Houchen in questioning Mr Veale’s appointment.

Mr Clarke, who has been outspoken about police numbers in East Cleveland, said: “I have real concerns about the appointment of Mike Veale as our new Chief Constable, and think the Police and Crime Commissioner and the appointments panel face serious questions.

“We all know Cleveland Police has a huge task on its hands to restore public confidence in its leadership. This news makes that task harder rather than easier.

“I will be raising all these questions with the new Chief Constable and the PCC and I am requesting a meeting.

“We will then move on to the question of resource allocation within the force area, to ensure East Cleveland receives the coverage it needs.”

Mr Veale was one of two shortlisted candidates for the role, alongside former assistant and deputy chief constable Simon Nickless.

Announcing his appointment, Mr Coppinger said Mr Veale was chosen following a “rigorous recruitment process” and said: “At Wiltshire Mike has led from the front, never afraid to take the tough decisions required of a leader.”

He continued: “I was aware of the ongoing complaint to the IOPC concerning his time at Wiltshire Police and took professional advice on the issue.

“This matter has no bearing on my confidence in Mike or my decision to recommend him for the office of Chief Constable.”