FORMER Sandwell regeneration cabinet member councillor Ian Jones refused to attend last night s audit committee meeting and answer questions about dodgy land deals.

The audit committee wanted to ask Cllr Jones about the findings of The Wragge Report into land deals and find out how to stop fraudulent land deals in the future.

Cllr Jones however refused to attend and sent a letter instead which complained of political motives from his fellow Labour cllrs on the committee and that he had not had enough notice about the questions, despite knowing for nearly two months the committee wanted to question him.

Cllr Liam Preece was seething with the Cllr Jones no-show.

He said: "He owes it to every taxpayer in Sandwell to answer these questions in a public forum.

"I am very disappointed with his conduct and wish we could compel him to give evidence before us."

Cllr Jones was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Wragge Report but was criticised for being a passive bystander to the controversial land deals.

Former deputy leader Mahboob Hussain has yet to appear before the standards committee concerning the scandal.