Police probe legacy project claim

POLICE investigating a £5.5 million Commonwealth Games legacy project are examining claims that cheques written out by the charity were used to withdraw up to £10,000 in cash.

The Evening Times understands the People’s Development Trust (PDT), the charity behind a community hub in Dalmarnock, complained to the single force after alleged irregularities were found on several cheque stubs. The Hub, which brings together a suite of health and childcare services in a new facility in the east end of Glasgow, was opened last year.

The project was overseen by the PDT and funded by £3 million from the Scottish government, £1.23 million from Clyde Gateway and £1.3 million from the Big Lottery Fund. The council also provided land for the Hub at a peppercorn rate of £1.

Yvonne Kucuk, a Labour councillor for the local Calton ward, was given the £35,000 a year job of regeneration manager and was the scheme’s driving force.

However, the project was marred by splits and a number of board members quit last year.

One of those who left, Reverend Alison Davidge, alerted the BLF to the departures and the lottery body ordered an external auditor to look at whether its grant had been spent appropriately.

The PDT then uncovered concerns about £10,000 of transactions by the charity and a complaint was made to the police. As revealed last week, Kucuk resigned her post recently on the grounds of ill health.

It is understood the PDT police complaint was triggered by payments relating to the charity’s official cheque book.