City council planning staff in corruption arrests

Leeds City Council confirmed it had suspended four staff members following their arrest

Four members of staff in Leeds City Council's planning department have been arrested as part of a police investigation into suspected corruption, the BBC understands.

As well as the local authority workers, West Yorkshire Police detained five others as part of their probe into suspected bribery offences.

A spokesperson for the council said the arrested staff had been suspended from their roles while the police investigation continued and it could not give any further comment.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that its Economic Crime Unit was conducting a "complex investigation" and all those arrested had been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

'Investigation ongoing'

In a statement, the council spokesperson said the organisation was aware of the investigation.

"We can confirm that four members of council staff have been arrested.

"The staff were subsequently suspended from their roles at the council in line with our established policies and procedures.

"As the police investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further," they added.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Our Economic Crime Unit is conducting a complex investigation into reported corruption offences in West Yorkshire.

"Nine people, including four Leeds City Council staff members, have been arrested on suspicion of bribery offences.

"All nine people have been bailed pending further inquiries."

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