Sean Price misconduct hearing delay bid fails

Sean Price became chief constable of Cleveland Police in 2003

The chief constable of Cleveland Police has failed to get a misconduct hearing postponed until the conclusion of a separate criminal investigation.

Sean Price argued that publicity about the outcome could prejudice jurors in the event of a trial following the outcome of Operation Sacristy.

However, a judge at the High Court in London rejected his application, saying there was no "real risk" of prejudice.

The misconduct hearing will now go ahead on 26 September.

Cleveland Police Authority had opposed Mr Price's application, and Mr Justice Irwin ruled that he must pay the authority's legal costs, estimated by lawyers to be £40,000, as well as his own, estimated at £10,000.

Mr Price faces claims he used "undue influence" during the appointment of the daughter of Dave McLuckie, the former police authority chairman, to a civilian post with the force.

It follows an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Mr Price remains on bail while Operation Sacristy, a wider criminal investigation relating to individuals with past and present associations to Cleveland Police Authority, continues.

It is not expected to end before April 2013.