ONE of the country’s leading civil servants has been appointed to investigate claims of “irregularities” in the planning process in the Borough of Poole, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The move has been prompted by widespread and persistent rumours over planning issues in the town. It’s understood the probe is focusing on planning processes, decisions and relationships.

The man heading the inquiry – which has been under way in secret for over a month – is Sir Michael Pitt.

Last year, he led an independent review on behalf of the government into the 2007 flooding crisis.

Poole’s chief executive, John McBride, instigated the inquiry himself amid growing concern over allegations made by some councillors.

The matter has also reached a national level, including government circles and the Local Government Association, which is involved.

Mr McBride confirmed that he and Poole’s head of financial services, Liz Wilkinson, had decided to order an independent inquiry.

“Doing nothing was not an option,” he said.

The council will not reveal the exact terms of reference given to Sir Michael.

But Mr McBride told the Echo: “There have been persistent rumours for some time and it was clear to me that they were not going to go away. We felt it was important to bring in someone with real clout to conduct a thorough investigation.”

Mr McBride added: “I have not seen any evidence myself to substantiate any rumours or claims, but the weight of the rumours, rather than any substance, proved to us that we had to do something.”

He defended the secrecy surrounding the inquiry, which has been going on for around six weeks and is expected to be published in January.

The council planned to reveal its existence after a number of “difficult” interviews had been carried out.

And he accepted that the issue would be damaging to the authority.

“Even the cleanest bill of health will damage our reputation because people will think there’s no smoke without fire.”

Mr McBride, along with some senior councillors and the police, have already been interviewed by Sir Michael.

Finance chief, Liz Wilkinson, said it was not a criminal inquiry and that it was not appropriate to speculate on specific matters or specific people.

“I am satisfied we have taken the right steps for the right reasons,” she added.

Cllr Ann Stribley, Conservative chairman of the planning committee, said she believed the inquiry was looking at “unfounded allegations – at least I sincerely believe they are unfounded.