Independence promise on investigation into 'inappropriate action' by senior councillor

An investigation into alleged 'inappropriate action' by a senior councillor in the sale of publicly owned land will be 'independent' the authority's leader has said.

Councillor Mahboob Hussain, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, has stood down from his role as chairman of the council's asset management and land disposal committee pending a formal investigation.

It follows questions raised on a blog and on social media of a link between his role in deciding to sell off land and his son, who is said to have bought some.

Councillor Hussain has denied any suggestion of wrongdoing and the authority's chief executive Jan Britton said his decision to stand down from the committee was a 'neutral act which does not imply any wrongdoing'.

The council's Labour leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: "We cannot continue to have a blogger making ambiguous statements about members of the council.

"I've ordered a review with a view to publishing a report so that people can judge for themselves.

"This council follows due process."

He said the council's audit service would be in charge of the investigation.

"They are independent from the rest of the council. No council members will be involved.

"We will investigate the issues the blogger has raised."

But UKIP councillor Philip Garrett said: "I would prefer the investigation to be completely independent of the council.

"It needs to be so when it is looking at someone as high up as a deputy leader."

Councillor Hussain said he had stood down from chairing the committee to 'protect himself and his family from repeated, unwarranted attacks on social media'.

He remains deputy leader of the council and the ward member for Oldbury.

He added he fully expects the audit service's investigation to 'clearly show he has followed all the proper rules and procedures'.

Last week Councillor Hussain apologised after failing to declare that he had a stake in a taxi firm which won a contract with the authority.

He failed to say he had a beneficial interest in Five Star Taxis and Minibuses, despite the fact that he had shares in the firm.

The firm was one of 47 given a contract to transport passengers for Sandwell Council last year.

The deal is worth £3.5m a year between all the companies and lasts until February 2017.

But it was accepted by Mr Britton that the omission had been 'simply a mistake'.

Mr Britton said he had investigated the decision-making process for the recent taxi contracts and was satisfied Councillor Hussain played no part in it, nor sought to influence decisions in any way.