Blackburn with Darwen deputy leader under investigation

Blackburn with Darwen Council's growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood is accused of intervening in the purchase of windows for the new prayer shelter at Pleasington Cemetery in contravention of Local Government Association (LGA) guidelines.

The probe follows an official complaint to the local authority's chief executive Denise Park by Rick Moore, the deputy chair of Blackburn Conservative Association.

In it, Mr Moore demands a 'full investigation' by council officials, which is already underway, Ms Park said.

Local Tory activist Rick Moore has complained to the council

His letter follows Mr Moore securing emails between Cllr Mahmood and Martin Eden - now strategic director for environment and operations - in 2021/2022 under Freedom of Information legislation.

Ms Park told the Lancashire Telegraph in a statement: “The council has a process for dealing with complaints, including those about councillors.

"It would not be appropriate for us to comment further during this process.”

Wensley Fold Councillor Quesir Mahmood, deputy council leader and executive member for growth and development, declined to comment while the investigation takes place.

Mr Moore said: "The complaint is not about personalities, it is about protecting the tendering process.

Chief executive Denise Park said an investigation is underway

"It is not party political point scoring, but ensuring the process is fair and transparent to stop companies finding out each other’s offers and undercutting them."

Mr Moore's complaint to Ms Park read: "We wish to raise a serious complaint over procurement procedures that have come to light as a result of emails that have been obtained via Freedom of Information requests.

"I am sure that I need not remind you of the LGA guidelines in regard to councillors' roles in procurement.

"I would draw particular attention to page six, where it clearly states councillors should not participate in commercial negotiations with suppliers or the evaluation of tenders."

He alleges the emails appear to show Cllr Mahmood 'inappropriately interfering in procurement' in breach of conduct guidelines and asks why Mr Eden had at the time failed to identify the concern.

One of the emails included Cllr Mahmood telling the officer he was thinking the council could ask Arctic Windows for a quote for UPVC windows and doors, to see if they could offer 'a good deal'.

Martin Eden, strategic director of environment and operations

Mr Eden is seen to reply that the firm has not been asked for a quote but the council would now do so, and would be happy to work with it if their price was cheaper than the existing price of £4,189.

There is no evidence of any knowledge or wrongdoing on the part of Arctic Windows.

Mr Moore's complaint claims the email exchanges were 'wholly inappropriate' and there was no need for Mr Eden to divulge to Cllr Mahmood the value of these works before a decision was made on which bid to accept.

It alleges this 'makes a mockery' of the council's procurement strategy and its duty to 'ensure money is spent effectively and in accordance with the principles of fairness and transparency'.

Mr Moore's complaint tells Ms Park: "Which tender to accept is a commercial decision, not a political one, and is for the council officers to make without interference from any elected representative.

"Procurement procedures exist to prevent corruption, and quite rightly so when dealing with public money.

"It is clear to us that those procedures have been blatantly ignored in this instance.

"We demand a full and public investigation into this matter."