Alleged fraud at council 'stopped'

ALLEGED fraud by staff at a North East council has "absolutely stopped", councillors have been told.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

It emerged last month that a probe into possible fraudulent activity involving a section of Newcastle City Council's transport department had been referred to Northumbria Police.

Members of the authority's audit committee were told on Tuesday that there was no evidence of similar issues elsewhere at the Civic Centre, but bosses have faced questions around transparency.

Phil Slater, the council's chief internal auditor, said that both the police investigation and internal proceedings at the council were still ongoing and will continue for "a few more months".

He also confirmed that the issue related to the claiming of allowances and overtime, telling the committee that something was "authorised that should not have been authorised".