Council investigation into possible fraud

AN investigation into potential fraud at a North East council has been referred to the police.

- By DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter

The Chronicle revealed in April that a probe was under way at Newcastle City Council concerning possible fraudulent activity within the council's transport department.

The local authority confirmed on Tuesday morning that the “financial irregularities, understood to relate to potential overclaiming involving an unconfirmed number of employees, has now been passed to Northumbria Police to look into further. It comes at a time of political instability and uncertainty within the civic centre's corridors of power.

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that, following an initial investigation into financial irregularities in one part of the transport division, the matter has been referred to Northumbria Police. We will offer any support that the police require during the course of their enquiries but we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”