Council leader faces claims of corruption
Calls for him to be suspended during police inquiry
Council leader Jim Logue is being probed by police over allegations of corruption.
Now his political opponents have called on him to be suspended while they investigation is complete. If the allegations are found to be true the council leader could face jail.
The Wishaw Press understands that the alleged fraud surrounds two private companies, ESCA UK Ltd and No Limits Leisure Ltd, that Councillor Logue was a director of in the past but didn’t declare on his council register of interests.
Councillor Logue has strongly denied all allegations that any overseas trips or accommodation have been paid by anyone other than North Lanarkshire Council.
A Police Scotland spokesman said this week: “We can confirm that Police Scotland have received a complaint of alleged corruption of an individual at North Lanarkshire Council and enquir i e s a re ongoing to establish any criminality.”
Former Wishaw councillor Sam Love, leader of Independent Alliance North Lanarkshire, said: “Councillor Logue should be suspended by the Labour Party while further enquiries are carried out.
“They did the same during police investigations with other councillors in both North and South Lanarkshire, so why not here?”
On Monday, councillor Logue told the Wishaw Press: “I understand that the police, having received a complaint – no matter how spurious – require to look into it. Police Scotland have not been in contact with me but I welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter with them at their convenience.”
And councillor Logue claimed the complaint was a “pathetic attempt to smear him”.
He said: “My focus remains on delivering quality services to the people of North Lanarkshire at the helm of a forward-thinking council.”
An audit report to councillors last month raised concerns over overseas trips by councillor Logue and asked questions why NLL and ESCA were formed.
Ken Adamson, the council’s head of audit inspection, confirmed that North Lanarkshire Leisure Board had not approved the companies.
The council leader was a director of ESCA Ltd from August 28, 2012, to April 5, 2016.
And during an interview with the Wishaw Press last May when we quizzed him about No Limits Leisure, Councillor Logue declared he was no longer a director as the company had been dissolved.
Mr Logue said that No Limits Leisure was set up for the sole purpose of the potential of providing leisure facilities to neighbouring local authorities.
But councillor Logue’s opponents said that the council had earlier, in 2012, formed Community Interest Company ( CIC) for a similar purpose as No Limits Leisure.
ECSA UK Ltd was established as an administrative company for North Lanarkshire’s successful bid to be a European Capital of Sport in 2011 and no longer traded.
Police Scotland have not been in contact but I welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter with them Jim Logue