A mystery saboteur has tried to disrupt the first Midlands Curry Awards by making allegations against the finalists.

Organisers have decided to seek legal advice after a dossier was sent out with the false claims.

The event is being staged in partnership with the Bangledeshi Business League to bring recognition to the region’s curry industry.

But over the past week people involved in the event received the dossiers and a covering letter which was unsigned, but contained an e-mail address.

Vice-chairman of the awards Nawaz Ala confirmed that documents had been sent out but would not reveal what they contained.

“We have now left this in the hands of our legal advisers and they are looking into the matter,” he said.

“They contained allegations which have no truth in them. Also, the email address provided on the document does not exist.

“We have discussed this matter with the judges and everything is OK.”

Among those to receive a document was Express & Star artist John Hackney, a member of the judging panel.

Mr Hackney said: “It contained reams of information from websites making claims which, in my view, did not appear to have any substance.

Discuss

“There was a covering letter which was unsigned, but which provided an email address. I responded saying I was sure it was an oversight that the letter was not signed but that I would be happy to discuss the contents if the sender wanted to get in touch.

“Ten days later I still had not heard from them which convinced me any attempt to disrupt the awards had no foundation.”

The awards were to be presented by GMTV newsreader Priya Kaur Jones and Heart FM’s Steve Denyer.

But Mr Denyer has pulled out, citing work commitments.

Mr Ala said it was unfortunate.