The government has ordered an inspection of Liverpool council in the wake of the recent property and corruption scandal.
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said he had ordered the inspection to get “direct, independent assurance that the council is compliant with its best value duty”.
It follows the arrest of mayor Joe Anderson and a number of council officers two weeks ago by detectives investigating allegations of bribery and witness intimidation linked to building deals in the city.
Several officers from Liverpool council have also been arrested as part of the wide-ranging inquiry, including the director of regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, and Andy Barr, the council’s assistant director of highways and planning.
