A THOROUGH investgiation has been demanded into Lord Hanningfield’s alleged misuse of Essex County Council’s resources.
Liberal Democrat councillors also want a full council debate on July 12 into the former leader’s behaviour.
Lord Hanningfield, 70, who was born Paul White, has already been convicted of six counts of fiddling his House of Lords expenses. He will be sentenced on July 1.
The Lib Dems want to know when the council first had concerns, what investigations took place and what actions are likely to be taken if alleged misuse of funds took place.
Mike Mackrory, deputy leader of the opposition Lib Dem group, said: “Now is the time to restore faith in our processes, otherwise the public will continue to view politicians with contempt.”
After White’s conviction, the council said the authority’s internal audit revealed concerns over Lord Hanning-field’s expenses and asked Essex Police to investigate.
Essex Police said the matter was being investigated by its serious economic crime unit.
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