Sean Price, the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, and his deputy, Derek Bonnard, face another day of questioning following allegations of corruption and fraud. The pair were arrested yesterday and spent the night at a north Yorkshire police station. The Chief Constable's solicitor, Caroline Llewellyn, who was also arrested, has since been released on bail.

The arrests follow an investigation by Warwickshire Police, who were called in to oversee an inquiry into police corruption inside the Cleveland Police Authority in May. The chair of the police authority resigned when it was revealed he was under investigation.

Yesterday's arrests came on the same day that the chief constable was due to appear in a webchat to be 'quizzed' on issues relating to the police.

Warwickshire Police said in a statement: "Police officers conducting a criminal investigation into a number of people with current or past associations with Cleveland Police Authority and the manner in which the authority may have conducted some of its business have this morning arrested three people on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice."

"Two men and a woman were arrested and have been taken to a police station in North Yorkshire where they will be interviewed later today. A number of premises are being searched in connection with these arrests."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission also released a statement, which said: "The IPCC can confirm that it has been informed of developments and would anticipate referrals from the police authority."