Force that tapped Mirror man pays ex-cop it bugged £500K

THE police force which illegally tapped a Mirror reporter’s phone has paid an officer £500,000 for snooping on him.

Mark Dias, 48, was targeted after he challenged “institutionalised racism and wrongdoing” at Cleveland.

Mr Dias claimed he was forced out of his job as an acting inspector in 2013 after nine years.

Chief Constable Iain Spittal admitted Mr Dias “endured negative responses” when he stood up to alleged misconduct in the force. He apologised for “the damage to his reputation and career”.

Mr Dias and former fellow officer Steve Matthews had already been awarded £3,000 after their phones were monitored. Cleveland Police tapped our reporter’s mobile in 2012 in a bid to identify sources of the Mirror’s stories on sacked chief constable Sean Price’s behaviour.

COMPENSATION Mark Dias