LANCASHIRE County Council leader has revealed he has been questioned by police again as part of their long-running investigation into the authority’s contracts.

County Cllr Geoff Driver voluntarily attended Skelmersdale Police Station yesterday at the request of detectives working on 'Operation Sheridan'.

The Burnley-born 72-year-old is one of four men currently on bail until November 22 while the inquires proceed.

The other three are former County Hall chief executive Phil Halsall, David McElhinney, who was chief executive of the now defunct One Connect and its sister organisation Liverpool Connect, and Ged Fitzgerald, the current Liverpool City Council chief executive and former Lancashire County Council chief executive.

All four were arrested in May on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and witness intimidation.

The 'Operation Sheridan ' inquiry is connected with the discontinued One Connect partnership between the county and BT.

Cllr Driver, who vigorously denies the allegations against him, told the Lancashire Telegraph: "I was asked in by the police for further questions.

"I voluntarily attend Skelmersdale Police Station yesterday and answered those further question.

"They were in connection with Operation Sheridan but I cannot discuss them further.

"I was the only person who attended and I remain on police bail until November 22."

The investigation into Lancashire County Council’s One Connect contract with BT has been running for more than three years and cost £2million.

A total of 22 officers and staff have been involved into the probe which also covers a similar deal involving Liverpool City Council.

In 2013, the police launched the inquiry, initially into the tendering of a £5m fleet contract with One Connect Ltd which led to the resignation of Mr Halsall.

It has examined the wider partnership with BT, including how Mr McElhinney, received two lump sums of £231,709 and £275,888 from the county council in 2013, apparently without the knowledge of its treasurer Gill Kilpatrick.

In 2014, Labour councillors cancelled the controversial deal signed by Cllr Driver’s previous Tory in administration in 2011.

The four men were rebailed in August this year until November 22.