Council leader wants inquiry over 'awful' finances

John Kent said there were "still questions to answer" over the debts

The leader of a council has said there needs to be an independent inquiry into investment decisions that led to the authority becoming bankrupt.

John Kent, a Labour councillor, spoke out after Thurrock Council served legal papers on a Dubai-based businessman in an attempt to recover £150m of taxpayers cash.

The authority faces debts of around £1.2bn following a series of failed investments and is having to be supported by government funding.

Mr Kent said: "We need to see an independent inquiry. I think there are members of Thurrock Council who have a lot of questions to answer."

'Deliberately misled'

A High Court lawsuit was served by the council on businessman Liam Kavanagh and investment company Rockfire Capital Ltd this week, after they tracked him down in Dubai.

The council said it was "deliberately misled" by Mr Kavanagh over the value of investments and that millions of pounds funded his "lavish lifestyle" and paid for a private jet, a yacht and a country estate in Hampshire.

The issue of debt began for the council in 2016, when it started to invest money in renewable energy schemes, including a £24m solar farm in Swindon.

Mr Kent added: "We will leave no stone unturned as we pursue these claims as vigorously as possible. We are looking forward to our day in court."

Thurrock Council has debts of about £1.2bn

Residents have been left to pick up the bill, as council tax was raised by 8% and non-essential services cut.

Mr Kent, who took over as council leader after Labour won in the local elections in May, added: "The situation is awful. The people of Thurrock are going to be paying the price of council tax being higher than it needs to be and services being poorer then they should be.

"But I am absolutely committed to righting the ship and getting the finances under control once and for all."

The BBC has been unable to reach Mr Kavanagh for comment.