The chief constable of Cleveland has been told he will not face disciplinary action after claims he was behind a campaign aimed at "Robocop" Ray Mallon.

Barry Shaw has been under investigation since October 2000.

The inquiry was led by the chief constable of South Yorkshire and overseen by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

After a meeting in private at Middlesbrough's Cellnet Riverside Stadium on Friday, Cleveland Police Authority decided not to take any action against Mr Shaw.

The force, myself and other senior officers have yet again been subjected to trial by media - I will not be intimidated

Barry Shaw

Mr Mallon - who was elected mayor of Middlesbrough in May - was the former chief superintendent credited with bringing zero-tolerance policing to the UK.

Chief Constable Michael Hedges of South Yorkshire Police, investigated the allegations under Operation Diamond II.

A statement by authority chairman Ken Walker said: "Having studied the investigating officer's report, and having carefully considered all aspects of the matter, the police authority resolved that no disciplinary proceedings need to be taken against the chief constable."

Ray Mallon was elected mayor in May

Mr Shaw welcomed the outcome and blamed the media for being a conduit for mischievous people with "their own agenda".

He said: "In recent days the force, myself and other senior officers have yet again been subjected to trial by media. I will not be intimidated.

"Malicious mischief-making by people with their own agenda - aided and abetted by those either deliberately misinformed or given selective information, has tried to taint and actively undermine the effectiveness of our force.

"I will not be swayed from rooting out those who want to see the force fail."