Mr Inglis said he was not told his parents were being questioned

Colin Inglis, 48, was arrested on Tuesday over claims of child abuse made against him by a former children's home resident. He denies the allegations.

On Friday, he claimed detectives had separated his parents at their home and questioned them for 11 hours.

A police spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment on the claims.

Mr Inglis claimed two detectives visited his parents within minutes of his arrest.

"Having said they wished to speak to them about me and this would take about a couple of hours, they proceeded to separate them and interrogate them for the next 11 hours, leaving late that night," he said.

Inquiry ongoing

Mr Inglis also claimed his parents were not given the chance to contact him or get any other independent advice.

"I consider these overbearing tactics quite despicable and as a result made it clear to the officers questioning me that I intend to make a formal complaint," he said.

North Yorkshire Police said the inquiry was ongoing and therefore it would be "totally inappropriate" to comment on the claims.

On Thursday, Mr Inglis was suspended from his job as chairman of the Humberside Police Authority pending the outcome of the inquiry into child abuse allegations.

His Labour Party membership has also been suspended.