Express & Star

Ex-deputy leader's High Court action over Sandwell Council's Wragge report

Sandwell Council's former deputy leader Mahboob Hussain is set to launch a High Court appeal over the authority's publication of a report alleging he had committed numerous code of conduct breaches.

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The Wragge report, which was published in May 2016, centred around Mr Hussain's alleged role in land deals across the borough.

Mr Hussain initially made a failed attempt to block the publication of the report 48 hours before it was released.

However, court papers seen by the Express & Star show he has been granted permission to appeal the council's decision to publish the report.

The papers say that if Mr Hussain's appeal is successful he could 'have the report quashed' and prevent any further disciplinary action from being taken against him.

Mr Hussain, who is an Oldbury councillor, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and insists the Wragge report contains 'factual inaccuracies'. He told the Express & Star: "I am fighting for the truth to come out and to bring an end to this political witch hunt. I will be submitting my appeal shortly.

"There are factual inaccuracies in the report that need to be brought to the public's attention. "I will have my day in court," he said.

Mr Hussain was ordered to appear in front of the authority's standards committee in the wake of the findings in the Wragge report.

Following an investigation by the council, he has since been accused of fraud and misconduct relating to a compulsory purchase order scheme and council house allocations.

Mr Hussain has again denied the allegations, which Sandwell Council has referred to West Midlands Police Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Jan Britton, Sandwell Council chief executive, said: "Councillor Hussain has previously applied for a judicial review relating to the Wragge (now Gowling WLG) report and the QC's legal opinion on its findings.

"The council has now also received a pre-action protocol legal letter from Councillor Hussain's solicitors for a judicial review application relating to the standards investigation.

"The council is taking legal advice on both matters." Mr Hussain said he had been the subject of 'various allegations and investigations' since 2014.

He has accused the council of attempting to smear his name.

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