Essex County Council leader calls on Lord Hanningfield to ‘do the right thing’ and pay back money to the taxpayer
Former Tory peer Lord Hanningfield - Credit: Archant
A council leader has called upon one of his predecessors to pay back the expenses he is alleged to owe taxpayers.
Essex County Council leader David Finch urged Lord Hanningfield to “do the right thing” and pay back the £51,000 he is said to have claimed inappropriately.
The Peer, who was council leader from 2001 to 2010, has denied wrongdoing and previously said he would not be paying back the money.
The council’s audit committee, which met on Monday, decided not to pursue legal action to recover the money, after being advised of the significant costs involved and the uncertain chances of success.
Mr Finch said: “This about doing the right thing. It is about choosing to spend money on providing care, education, and roads, instead of spending it lining the pockets of expensive lawyers.
You may also want to watch:
“I’ve made sure this situation can never happen again and our governance is now second to none.
“But I am still as angry and frustrated about this situation as Essex taxpayers are.
Most Read
- 1 Further registrars speak out in wedding consultation row
- 2 Students share their views on school curriculum
- 3 Walden's new healthcare hub taking shape - as doctors surgery goes on market for £1.4m
- 4 Lana's efforts help to feed the community
- 5 Delight as books are donated to school's learning centre
- 6 Operation Trespass will highlight drugs gangs cuckooing efforts
- 7 The Stansted couple on an #HDHike for Huntington's disease
- 8 First business to sponsor Walden's Dance in the Square 2021
- 9 Local elections 2021: UDC ward results for Newport and The Sampfords
- 10 Walden church open and taking part in Thy Kingdom Come
“So I am calling again on Lord Hanningfield to do the right thing and repay the money he owes.”
