Cleveland Police Chief Bailed

The Chief Constable of Cleveland and his deputy, who were arrested over corruption claims, have been released on bail.

Sean Price and his deputy Derek Bonnard were held on Wednesday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice.

A third person arrested - the force's former head of legal services, Caroline Llewellyn - was bailed on Wednesday night.

A spokesman for Warwickshire Police, who are leading the inquiry, said: ``Two men being interviewed by Warwickshire officers today on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice have now been released on bail to a date in October.

``The two men and a woman were arrested on 3 August. The woman was released on police bail late last night until a date in October.''

The investigation, which is being led by officers from Warwickshire Police, began in May after allegations against present and former members of Cleveland Police Authority (CPA).

Searches were made of several premises following the three arrests.

A CPA spokesman confirmed the two men had been suspended from their posts with Cleveland Police while the investigations were being considered.

A spokesman for the authority said: ``It should be emphasised that suspension is a neutral act and it should not be inferred from the decision to suspend that the potential conduct matters have been proven in respect to the two chief officers concerned.''

In suspending the officers, the authority was following ``prescribed processes and procedures'', the spokesman said.