Sandwell Councillor Ian Jones claims allegations are ‘politically motivated’

Ian Jones walked out of a meeting of the council's ethics committee before it started after complaining he had not been given enough time to view case documents.

In his absence, the committee unanimously found he had failed to comply with council rules by removing a plot of land from public auction.

Mr Jones, who represents Tipton Green for Labour, is accused of asking officers to remove a property from the auction in February 2011.

It is alleged he did so at the request of the then council leader Darren Cooper, who died in March 2016.

The ethics committee heard evidence that neither councillor had the power to remove the plot from auction, harming the council’s chance of getting the best price.

A report said that the property was subsequently lined up to be sold to a family member of Councillor Mohammad Rouf at a price ‘significantly below’ what it was eventually sold for under a sealed bid process a year later – also to a relative of Mr Rouf.

However, legal representation for the council admitted there was no evidence that Councillor Jones knew about any plan to withdraw the sale of the land until he was told by officers.

Mr Jones has always denied any wrongdoing.

Following Wednesday's hearing he told the Express & Star: "I believe these are false and malicious allegations against me which I have said are politically motivated.

"I put in a submission for adjournment because the papers were served late on Tuesday and there were 120 pages given to us. I left the hearing based on legal advice.

"I have always turned up to investigations and committees."

The authority’s ethics committee ruled that Mr Jones must now undertake councillor training – which he has to pay for himself – and has to stand down from his position on the economy, skills, transport and environment scrutiny board.