A SENIOR NHS manager recognised nationally for his work helping people overcome drug and alcohol problems has stepped down after an investigation found he was regularly drunk at work.

It concluded there was evidence David Cliff, head of County Durham's Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), returned from extended lunches under the influence of alcohol and behaved inappropriately.

One witness told NHS investigators it was common knowledge he drank at lunchtime and they had seen Mr Cliff and a colleague "both coming back, absolutely reeking of alcohol and giggling and the worse for wear."

Another witness said: "There is no problem with people having three-hour lunch breaks at all, but you don't come back in that state."

Investigators also said that Mr Cliff was under the influence of alcohol "frequently".

They also found evidence of inappropriate behaviour, which caused other members of the staff of 25 in Durham City to feel "stress, anxiety and lack of esteem". They also found evidence of favouritism.

Mr Cliff told investigators: "The most I have ever had has been a couple of glasses of wine and that has been corrected since because clearly it is not appropriate."

Mr Cliff, believed to have earned £50,000 a year and controlling a £1.8m budget, has been suspended on full pay since last November. He left his post on October 16.

In all, 13 staff were interviewed about the allegations. The investigators concluded:

* The majority of witnesses corroborated allegations that Mr Cliff returned from extended lunches and has been under the influence of alcohol during working hours;

* The inappropriate nature of the behaviour was enough to cause discomfort, stress, anxiety and lack of esteem, making people ashamed to work at DAAT;

* The report also found indirect evidence to support the allegations that Mr Cliff undermined the position of another member of staff;

A spokesperson for County Durham Primary Care Trust said: "In accordance with the Data Protection Act, the primary care trust is not able to comment on any internal investigation."

Mr Cliff could not be contacted for comment last night.