TWO people have been charged over an alleged social care benefit fraud against Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The news came after a row at the authority's executive board over comments on the case by Tory group leader Cllr John Slater.

The alleged fraud first came to light in a council report which revealed: "Staff are continuing to liaise with the police in the case of a suspected client fraud.

“In addition, audit staff are in the process of finalising a review into the contract management issues following a whistle-blowing complaint."

Cllr Slater said earlier this week: "This could be very serious."

A police spokesman said today: “Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, a man and a woman have been charged with fraud by false representation. They will appear in court in due course. It relates to an allegation dating back to 2018.”

Borough finance boss Cllr Vicky McGurk told the executive board meeting: “The two items are completely separate. The first relates to an alleged social care benefit fraud. The council are the victim of fraud. The second relates to a very minor contract review.

“I was really disappointed to read Cllr John Slater’s comments in the Lancashire Telegraph, particularly as John knows I’m accessible to him at any time.

“The reason I was disappointed was that he was very quick to make the statements he did without checking any detail and too willing to put the council into disrepute.”

Cllr Slater said: “Just to clarify I spoke to the chief executive before I spoke to the press.”