Senior councillor sacked over child protection claims.

A senior councillor has been sacked from Wrexham council's executive board after making allegations about a child protection team.

Malcolm King, who was lead member for finance, raised concerns about staff levels and case loads at the council's child and family assessment team.

Council leader Neil Rogers said an independent inquiry found "little or no evidence" to support the allegations.

He said the claims were having a "negative impact on staff".

Mr King, who had also been responsible for policy and governance, made 16 allegations about staff levels, case loads and the pressure faced by social workers.

He stands by his actions.

In a statement, council leader Mr Rogers said: "Sixteen serious allegations were made last year and an independent investigation was undertaken.

"That investigation concluded that there was little or no credible evidence to support the number of allegations made about the children and family assessment team.

"I am concerned that these allegations are having a negative impact on our staff.

"Under the constitutional arrangements of the council I allocate lead member responsibilities and have therefore taken the decision to remove the portfolio as lead member for policy, finance, performance and governance from councillor King."

"In the interim period I will assume the finance brief and I will speak to other lead members and discuss the other aspects of councillor King's brief," he added.

'Dangerously complacent'

Mr King, who will continue to serve as a local councillor, told BBC Wales he had "no way of knowing whether the allegations that were being made were true or not".

"The idea that I would simply sit on them, or tell the social workers to go away, is absurd and, of course, dangerous," he said.

"We have a whistle blowing policy in the council, which is to give support to people who want to bring their concerns forward.

"And, of course, child protection is arguably the most important thing that we do as a council.

"So to just sit on that, do nothing about it, would be dangerously complacent," Mr King added.