Ludlow councillors call in the police

8:46am Friday 14th November 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

By Adrian Kibbler POLICE are investigating alleged financial irregularities at Ludlow Town Council.

In a statement, West Mercia Police confirmed it had received a complaint and was looking into it.

Town councillors Michael Bradley and Tony Pound have said that they went to police to report their concerns. “We had tried to get the matter investigated internally. We felt that there was no option but to take the matter to the police,” said Councillor Bradley.

Town clerk Linda Thomas said a confidential internal investigation was taking place.

In its statement, West Mercia Police said: “We confirm that an individual has made a complaint alleging financial irregularities. We are investigating this complaint and liaising with the council as part of this investigation.”

Veronica Calderbank, the standards officer at South Shropshire District Council, said the authority had made a solicitor available to help Ludlow Town Council with its investigation.

The investigation is the latest in a catalogue of problems for the town council.

It was recently involved in controversy over whether a town councillor had resigned or not and was also left red faced when a town meeting had to be postponed hours before it was due to begin following the discovery that it had not been properly advertised.