THE police investigation into allegations of dodgy land deals at Sandwell Council has now been running for a year – making it one of the longest investigations of its kind in Britain.

Police received claims last September of irregularities in the sale of former council properties and the Regional Fraud Team has devoted its officers to the case ever since, looking into a wide range of allegations.

Oldbury Councillor Mahboob Hussain stood down as chairman of the council’s asset management and land disposal committee last October and then in February resigned from his cabinet post as deputy leader along with regeneration cabinet member Cllr Ian Jones.

The resignations were sparked over an allegation concerning the sale of council land containing blocks of public toilets in Albert Street in Oldbury, Jervoise Lane in Stone Cross and The Shambles in Wednesbury.

As well as the police inquiry there are two further investigations with Sandwell Council’s audit service and solicitors Wragge, Lawrence, Graham and Co preparing reports.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris demanded the reports be made public as soon as they are completed. He said: “Sandwell Council need to be open and transparent about what is happening to investigate these damaging and serious allegations.”

“Local people deserve to know what their taxes are being spent on and what the contents of these reports uncovers.”

He added: “Both reports will hold important information about what is going on in Sandwell Council and must be seen by the public for open scrutiny.”

In July The News revealed fears that Sandwell Council’s bill for lawyers and accountants could spiral towards £1 million because of the various investigations.

The council’s deputy chief executive Melanie Dudley confirmed up to £100,000 of taxpayers’ cash has already been spent on the investigations.

She said: “Wragge, Lawrence, Graham and Co is working with Sandwell Council as an independent advisor. The costs are less than a tenth of the figure suggested by the Halesowen News.

“The audit investigation is still ongoing and it will be concluded as soon as possible. The Wragge, Lawrence, Graham and Co report has not yet been completed.”

Cllr Hussain’s son Azeem Hafeez was arrested after detectives mounted raids on two addresses in Sandwell in April.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Officers from the Regional Fraud Team arrested a man from an address in the Oldbury area on suspicion of fraud. The man was bailed by police as investigations and protracted enquiries continue, he is due to return to a local station in November. “The Regional Fraud Team were formed in 2013 and work with the Regional Asset Recovery Team and collaborate with local forces and partner agencies to tackle organised crime within the region.”

Both councillors Hussain and Jones strenuously deny any wrongdoing.