AN MP has called for police to release details of a deal struck with a female constable who dropped claims of sexual harassment.

The call came as a woman who claimed her policeman husband killed himself because of the case said the decision meant she would never have the chance to restore his good name.

PC Reehaina Saddique, of Baxenden, will not now proceed with her employment tribunal action against Lancashire police after the 'compromise agreement' was announced yesterday.

The action was to be brought after an internal police inquiry had decided no action should be taken against PC Wilkinson, 37, of New Longton, near Preston.

PC Wilkinson committed suicide by shooting himself while stationed in Leyland last year. His wife told an inquest that news that the tribunal was to go ahead but would be delayed proved to be one of the last straws.

Nigel Evans, Tory MP for Ribble Valley, called for openness in the terms of the agreement between PC Saddique and police chiefs so Lancashire's taxpayers would know how much the deal was costing them.

He said: "We want transparency in matters like these and it is important to know how much cash, if any, the taxpayer is paying out.

"I feel the public have a right to know how much money she might be being paid and, on top of that, I would hope the police carry out a proper inquiry to prevent this sort of thing happening in the future."

But a spokesman for the police rejected Mr Evans' demands. She said: "Mr Evans is entitled to his opinion but we still will not be making a response."

The widow of the dead officer, Anne-Marie, also criticised the police, saying she was 'devastated' by the decision to withdraw the tribunal. She said: "I was not party to the agreement between Mrs Saddique and the police. I am devastated by this announcement.

"My husband was ready to answer any allegations against him and after being told the tribunal would be delayed until November and feeling he had no support from his employees, the pressure became unbearable for him and he committed suicide.

"The announcement means this nightmare will continue as I will never have the opportunity to restore his good name."

Mrs Saddique claimed the dead man harassed her while they worked together at Lea police station, near Preston.

Mr Wilkinson had been accused of stroking Mrs Saddique's head, giving her a saucer of milk and calling her the 'office cat' -- police slang for officers who rarely leave the station.

But his colleagues said it was a frequently-used joke and he was cleared of the allegation in an internal disciplinary investigation.

The employment tribunal was due to resume in two weeks. Police said the compromise was agreed after 'careful consideration' by the police of the case and factors affecting Mrs Saddique, the family of Paul Wilkinson and members of staff who would have been witnesses at the tribunal.

But a police statement said the terms of the deal were covered by a confidentiality agreement which was binding on both parties and they would not comment on the terms or respond to speculation about them. Assistant Chief Constable Julia Hodson said: "The case presents an opportunity to learn lessons about police and procedures in circumstances involving alleged harassment and also about the support available for those involved.

"The constabulary will be looking closely at that over the months ahead to identify those lessons and make improvements where needed.

"Lancashire Constabulary is committed to the principles for equal opportunity in the treatment of all individuals, whether police officers, support staff or members of the public."

Mrs Saddique, is still a employed as a police officer but is currently on sick leave. She could not be contacted.