THIS weekend, a number of articles have been published detailing “extensive legal failure” within Thurrock Council’s own counter-fraud department.
Reform Group Leader Councillor Alex Anderson said: “Once again Thurrock Council hit national headlines for all the wrong reasons.
“The Times are reporting that Covid fraud convictions obtained as a result of investigation by Thurrock’s National Investigation Service (Natis) are at risk of collapse because its officials were gathering evidence without the legal right to do so. One former Natis investigator estimated that the problem could effect ‘hundreds of cases’.
“Disturbingly, the article also notes that Southend Councillor Tony Cox received an apology out of court after being ‘targeted’ by Natis.
“This episode raises an awful lot of questions for the Council and Thurrock Reform will make sure they’re asked.”
