No criminal activity by ex-Bristol deputy mayor over £600k contracts controversy

No criminal activity by ex-Bristol deputy mayor over £600k contracts controversy

No criminal activity took place and no legal action is required over links between Bristol's former deputy mayor and a business she helped set up that the city council paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to, it has been concluded.

Last November, external auditors Grant Thornton recommended two 'improvements' in how the local authority hires private companies to provide it with services, after finding the organisation failed to follow its own rules in awarding contracts for the Stepping Up leadership training programme for staff from diverse backgrounds.

The scheme was created with the help of former Labour councillor and deputy mayor Asher Craig as an in-house council project before those behind the cour