âRobocopâ™ rejects offer for Mandy seat

Labour officials asked “ Robocop” Ray Mallon to stand as the party’s candidate in Hartlepool, the Standard can reveal.

The controversial former policeman was sounded out about fighting the by-election, even though he is not a Labour Party member.

It is understood Mr Mallon was approached at the weekend by Peter Mandelson, whose new appointment as European commissioner has sparked the poll.

Mr Mallon turned down the offer at 9.30am on Monday, saying he did not want to stand down as mayor of Middlesbrough.

The approach will be seen as a sign of desperation among Labour officials at the party’s chances of retaining the seat. They had hoped having a wellknown local candidate, known for his independence, would play well with the Hartlepool electorate.

Labour insiders said Mr Mallon’s membership status was not a problem. “These things can be squared, look at Ken Livingstone,” said one official, referring to how Mr Livingstone was readmitted to the party so he could contest the London mayoral race as a Labour candidate.

The party is now struggling to find a suitable candidate. One possible contender, Patrick Diamond — a former adviser to Mr Mandelson — has ruled himself out, claiming he would be branded a “Labour crony”.

Mr Mallon was elected mayor of Middlesbrough two years ago. He was formerly a superintendent-with Cleveland Police where his zero tolerance policing earned him the “Robocop” nickname.

He first came to Mr Mandelson’s attention when he was appointed deputy chief inspector of Hartlepool in 1994 and reduced crime by 35 per cent in two-and-a-half years.

During the May 1997 general election campaign he was heralded by Tony Blair for his crimefighting skills. But his career as a policeman was effectively ended five months later when he was suspended from duty amid allegations of misconduct. Although cleared, he resigned from the force in 2001 to pursue a political career.

Mr Mandelson had a majority of 14,571 at the last election, but Labour is vulnerable to a Liberal Democrat challenge.

The Lib-Dems’ election strategist Lord Rennard is confident of repeating the success of the Brent East and Leicester South by-elections where the party came from third place to defeat Labour.

He has already established a team in Hartlepool and the first Lib-Dem leaflet was delivered to homes last Saturday.

There is mounting anger among Labour MPs that Mr Mandelson’s dithering left them fighting a three-month campaign.

Labour organisers had pressed for the writ to be moved on the last day of Parliament to permit a snap poll in the middle of August.

But because Mr Mandelson “agonised” for 24 hours over whether to take the £144,000-ayear Brussels job, the byelection can not be held until October.