Police search council HQ in contracts probe

POLICE have searched a local authority’s offices amid an investigation into the awarding of contracts to a firm with close connections to a top political figure.

Cheshire Police have launched a criminal probe into alleged misconduct in a public office following the award of contracts worth more than £150,000  by Cheshire East Council to Nantwich-based Core Fit, a business run by the council leader, Cllr Michael Jones’s personal phyiotherapist.

In December Cllr Jones, a high profile figure in the region, announced he would stand down as council leader amid political pressure over the matter, including from the council’s mayor, Hilda Gaddum.

A Police spokesperson said: “Cheshire Constabulary has commenced a criminal investigation into misconduct in a public office as a result of information received about Cheshire East Council and the award of contracts.

“The investigation relates to the award of contracts and the involvement of all relevant individuals in that process.  The purpose of the investigation is to establish what happened and who was involved.

“As part of any investigation officers will make enquiries with anyone, at Cheshire East Council or elsewhere, who may have information that could assist in establishing the truth.”

The spokesperson added that as part of this process: “Detectives executed a search warrant at Cheshire East Council’s offices in Middlewich Road, Sandbach.”

In November a BBC Freedom of Information Act request revealed that Cheshire East had waived its own financial rules three times when awarding contracts collectively worth £156,000 to Core Fit, which is owned by Amanda Morris.

At the time, council chief executive Mike Suarez said there had been no “unlawful expenditure or any breach of EU procurement rules”.