LANCASHIRE County Council’s Labour leader Azhar Ali has supported an investigation into his authorisation of grants when he was cabinet member for health at the authority.

The Nelson East representative said he had nothing to hide despite Tory claims he ignored proper procedures when approving the payments.

Cllr Ali spoke out as county council chief executive Angie Ridgewell revealed she was speaking to the authority’s external auditors about how to conduct the investigation ordered last month.

He said: “I fully support his investigation by auditors.

“There is no question about the validity of the grants themselves merely about whether the proper procedures were followed. These need to be established.”

Pendle Hill Tory Cllr Christian Wakeford said: “To be able to give out £500,000 of Taxpayer’s money without going through the proper procedures, seriously calls into question the conduct of County Councillor Ali during his time as a Cabinet Member on Lancashire County Council. I look forward to the findings of the external auditor.”

Cllr Ali said: “Cllr Wakeford should stop playing petty politics and concentrate on important issues like the state of the roads and potholes in Pendle.”