Conservative councillor arrested over fraud allegations

Although Cllr Jim O’Shea was arrested last year, the news has only just come to light as the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian reports:

A senior Tory councillor has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

Monkhams ward Cllr Jim O’Shea, Of Repton Park in Woodford Green, is currently on bail while police investigate the allegations.

The former deputy mayor and cabinet member for planning and regeneration declined to comment on the revelation, which only emerged after an anonymous letter arrived at the Guardian.

A well-placed source attributed the tip-off to infighting between high ranking members of the Conservative administration, which was sparked by the ousting of Tory leader Cllr Alan Weinberg after a vote of no confidence in March.