THE former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority has been arrested for a second time by officers from the Operation Sacristy team.

Dave McLuckie was held last month in relation to a motoring offence and has been bailed until later this month.

The Redcar and Cleveland Borough councilor, who lives in Skelton, east Cleveland, is already on bail in connection to Operation Sacristy, a criminal investigation into corruption involving people with current or past associations with the authority.

A Warwickshire Police spokeswoman would not confirm the identity of the arrested man but the Northern Echo understands it is Mr McLuckie.

She said: “A 51-year-old man has been arrested by members of the Operation Sacristy team.

“The man was arrested on October 16 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception and a fraud offence.

“He was interviewed and released on police bail until November 16. A file of evidence will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for charging advice.”

Last month, the force’s former Chief Constable Sean Price was sacked after he was found guilty of two charges of gross misconduct following an eight-day independent disciplinary hearing over allegations relating to the recruitment of the daughter of the former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, Dave McLuckie.

The panel made it clear there was no suggestion that the she did anything wrong during the process.

Now the Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Tom Blenkinsop, has called the councilor to resign.

He said: “"Clearly this a very serious matter that must be dealt with and, as in accord with our judicial system, Councillor McLuckie naturally remains innocent until proven guilty.

"However, it is my firm belief that Councillor McLuckie will struggle to effectively represent the people of Skelton as a councillor whilst he's having to deal with these very serious allegations against him, especially when Operation Sacristy is separately continuing to investigate Cleveland Police Authority.”

A spokesperson for Labour North said: “Councillor McLuckie is currently suspended from the Labour Party following his earlier arrest. When all police investigations are completed the party will look to take the appropriate disciplinary action which may result in expulsion from the party.”

A disciplinary hearing for the force’s suspended deputy chief constable, Derek Bonnard, is due to start on Monday.

Mr Bonnard was arrested along with Mr Price following a series of dawn raids in August last year. He has since been released from police bail and informed he will not face criminal charges. Mr Bonnard denies any wrongdoing.

Mr McLuckie was unavailable for comment today.