COUNCILLORS want a police investigation into behind-doors dealings over the lease of Laindon Community Centre.

An independent review found the Conservative administration was “in debt” to the group who were handed the keys to the building after members were found to have run an anti-Labour campaign in the run-up to the May 2021 election.

In a fiery council meeting discussing the report, Labour group leader Maryam Yaqub accused the council of “corruption”.

“The 25-year lease to an £8.8 million building, with £2.2 million recent taxpayer investment, was handed to them because the administration was in their debt,” she said.

“We have been exonerated and you have been exposed for your deep-seated corruption.

“I believe the findings of this report warrant a police investigation.”

Basildon Council leader Andrew Baggott dared Ms Yaqub to go to the police, replying: “You have alleged that it warrants a police investigation, then it is incumbent on you to rock up to the police and make a complaint - but if you don’t it just puts shame to your words which are as shallow as you.

“Go to the police and demand an investigation, I will embrace an investigation.”

Addressing the rest of the room, Mr Baggott said: “I think there are learnings from the report from a council point of view right the way across the board.

“The key thing is how it is dealt with and that we use the report in a positive way.

“We will take the comments on the chin, where they are pertinent to us, and we will always strive to be better.”

Former council leader Gavin Callaghan says he - along with councillors Yaqub, Kerry Smith, David Harrison and former councillor Jack Ferguson - will write to Essex Police to demand an investigation.

“Now we must have confidence that no bribery, financial or otherwise, took place, no money exchanged hands between those now running the centre and any officer or elected member, and no donations were made to any political party,” he said.

“The reports’ findings are incredibly serious and public trust and confidence will be severely undermined in the council.”

Essex Police has been contacted to confirm whether it has received a letter calling for an investigation.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “We thank Melvin Kenyon for his independent report on the Laindon Community Centre. The report is published in full and can be found on the council’s website.”